Five people have submitted a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), urging an investigation into former Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, over allegations of acquiring assets disproportionate to her income.
The petitioners include Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, Mensah Thompson, Al-Hassan Kwadwo Baidoo, Ransford Antwi, and Joyce Atitso.
Madam Dapaah attracted widespread media and public scrutiny following reports of a burglary at her residence involving significant sums of money and jewellery.
Stolen items included $1 million, €300,000, GH¢350,000, luxury handbags valued at $35,000, and jewellery worth $95,000.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the theft, Madam Dapaah resigned from her ministerial position in July 2023.
Subsequently, officers from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) arrested her after discovering over GH¢48 million in her accounts.
Following a collaborative investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spanning almost seven months, the OSP dropped charges against her due to insufficient evidence and transferred the case to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
However, EOCO returned the docket to the OSP, citing a lack of evidence.
In their petition dated May 20, the petitioners have requested that CHRAJ conduct a thorough investigation into Madam Dapaah’s assets, including the $1 million, €300,000, and GH¢350,000 mentioned.
“…More importantly, we are fortified in the need for this investigation because, during interrogation by the OSP as to the source of her income, Madam Cecilia Dapaah could not give any proper explanation.”
