The Accra High Court has postponed the hearing of the case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah to Thursday, January 25, 2024.
The case revolves around the reported failure of the former Minister to declare her income and property to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Furthermore, the court has also deferred the consideration of the OSP’s application to confirm freezing and seizure orders related to Cecilia Dapaah’s bank accounts and assets at her residence to January 25.
On October 10, 2023, Madam Dapaah’s legal team filed an injunction application against the OSP. According to court documents, the lawyers argued that without a restraint order, the former Minister would suffer irreparable damage due to the actions of the OSP.
“This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State’s power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants’ considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”
The application filed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor, is currently under consideration by the Human Rights Court in Accra. The case is aimed at restraining the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from further freezing Madam Dapaah’s accounts and seizing cash recovered from their residence.
The court has adjourned the hearing of this case to February 1, 2024. The delay provides additional time for both parties to present their arguments and evidence before the court makes a decision on the matter.
Background
Two house helps who were employed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are facing charges for allegedly stealing money and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, Accra.
The main accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are charged with conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house helps reportedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000. Additionally, Ms. Botwe is accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.
Three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They have been respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GH¢1 million, GH¢180,000, and GH¢50,000.
The stolen money and items, taken from the couple’s bedroom in their residence, prompted the complainants to report the theft case to the police in June 2023. Ms. Botwe was allegedly caught entering the couple’s room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest.
Bail was granted to Sarah Agyei in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties, while Ms. Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody.
The Special Prosecutor’s office has announced an investigation into the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.