Lawyer for one of the accused persons in the Cecilia Dapaah 'stolen money' case, has decried the bail condition set for his client, Sarah Agyei by an Accra Circuit Court.

The court on Tuesday granted bail to two lactating mothers to the tune of GH¢1 million each with three sureties to be justified.

But the lawyer, Augustine Gyamfi, says the bail condition is harsh.

Read also:https://myjoyonline.com/cecilia-dapaahs-case-five-remanded-two-granted-1m-bail/

“Looking at the bail conditions, to me it was too harsh and it is not something you can get it just now. And then, you have to go back and see people who will be willing to sign for that bail,” he said in an interview on Joy FM's Newsnight.

He said his client has been taken back to her cell because she was unable to meet the bail conditions.

He is therefore making preparation to arrange for people to execute the bail if possible on Wednesday or Thursday.

The lawyer, however, added that his client’s relatives are ready to assist in raising the sum.

Mr Gyamfi noted that if he is unable to meet the bail conditions, he would go back to the court for a review.

Background

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

The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei have been charged with conspiracy to commit a 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.

Meanwhile, three more persons have been arraigned in addition to the four others who were initially charged with counts of stealing and dishonestly receiving monies stolen from the home of the former Sanitation Minister, while one other person who is of interest to the investigations is at large.

This brings the number of people standing trial currently to eight.

The court however discharged Kwaku Botwe, father of the first accused person, Patience Botwe who was initially charged with the offence of dishonestly receiving.

These were made known to the court after police prosecutors substituted the charge sheet based on the advice of the Attorney General.

The police prosecutor revealed that charges against the father of Patience Botwe were dropped following the advice of the Attorney General, Godfred Dame.

Kwaku Botwe was previously charged with dishonestly receiving after he was accused of receiving GH¢50,000 out of the stolen money from his daughter.

Mr. Botwe however in his caution statement noted that he only received GH¢10,000 from his daughter and was not aware that it was stolen money.

Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame after analysing the case against Mr. Botwe concluded that there is not enough evidence to sustain a charge of dishonest receiving. Based on this, his name was excluded from the new charge sheet and was therefore discharged by the court.