The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has responded to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)’s apparent disinterest in investigating the money laundering allegations against former Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
Initially, OSP had passed on the case file concerning the former minister to EOCO for further action. However, EOCO’s Executive Director, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, during a media engagement at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa, mentioned plans to return the docket to OSP.
Contrary to EOCO’s assertions, Samuel Appiah Darko, OSP’s Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications, clarified that EOCO had indeed returned the docket regarding Cecilia Dapaah much earlier.
He insinuated that EOCO’s lack of awareness regarding the status of the case might indicate a disconnect within their organization.
Furthermore, Madam Addo-Danquah stated that any actions EOCO could have taken had already been redirected to the police CID.
Mr. Appiah Darko expressed doubt over EOCO’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting the former minister, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding their intentions.
“The second point I want to make is this whole idea that the docket that the OSP sent to EOCO was baseless and if you will indulge me, I am going to be a bit detailed, although we are not supposed to do this but our point is that if there is no appetite to want to investigate and prosecute, tell the people of Ghana that there is no appetite but don’t try to put the blame on the OSP,” Mr Darko told the host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle, on Citi FM.
“The AG saying that we had cleared Cecilia Dapaah of any offence is also not accurate because the OSP has never cleared Cecilia Dapaah because when you say you have cleared someone, it means that you have investigated and come to the conclusion that no offence has been committed.”
Additionally, there are concerns raised by the Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mary Adda, regarding the handling of the investigation.
She criticized the lack of communication between EOCO and OSP, which she believes has hindered progress in certain investigations, fueling perceptions of bias and impunity among high-profile individuals.
On May 6, EOCO announced its intention to return the docket to OSP, citing advice from the Office of the Attorney General against pursuing money laundering investigations into Cecilia Dapaah due to insufficient evidence of corruption or related offenses.
The Attorney-General’s office highlighted discrepancies in OSP’s findings, stating that investigations failed to establish any evidence of corruption or procurement breaches against the suspects.
They also questioned the basis for OSP’s suspicion of money laundering and structuring, citing a lack of clarity in the submitted documents.
Ultimately, the situation underscores the need for clarity, cooperation, and transparency among law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and fairness in such high-profile cases.