The Accra High Court has adjourned the hearing of a case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah to Thursday, January 25, 2024.

The case is related to the former Minister's reported failure to declare her income and property to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Additionally, the OSP's application to confirm the freezing and seizure orders regarding the bank accounts and assets at Cecilia Dapaah's home has also been adjourned to January 25.

On October 10, 2023, Madam Dapaah's lawyers also filed an injunction application against the OSP.

Per the court documents, the lawyers said if the OSP is not retrained, the former Minister will suffer irreparable damage.

“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.”

This application filed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor is being heard by the Human Rights Court sitting in Accra.

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The case which was filed against the OSP to restrain the Office from continuing to freeze Madam Dapaah’s accounts and seizing cash recovered from their residence has also been adjourned to 1 February 1, 2024.

Background

Two house helps who worked for Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour are facing charges for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence at Abelemkpe in Accra.

The main accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei have been 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 allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery 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.

Furthermore, 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.

According to court proceedings, the stolen monies and items belonged to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, taken from their bedroom in their residence.

The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Susana Ekuful, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not been taken yet.

The court granted bail to Sarah Agyei in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties. The sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar. The bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge, as Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge.

On the other hand, Ms Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, have been remanded into lawful custody.

The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects.

Ms Botwe was caught red-handed entering the couple’s room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest.

Further investigations revealed that Patience, with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items.

This information got Ghanaians talking with many asking CHRAJ, the OSP and the Ghana Police Service to investigate the source of the money.

Subsequently, the Special Prosecutor announced that his office was investigating the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.