Two house helps working for Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Mr. Daniel Osei Kuffour, are facing charges in the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from the couple's residence in Abelemkpe, Accra.

The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which includes US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis. 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 are 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 the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources and her husband, taken from their shared bedroom in their residence.

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

Judge Susana Ekuful 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 Judge Ekuful was serving as a relief judge.

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

The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June of this year 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.

The case is adjourned to August 2, 2023, as the court continues its proceedings to determine the fate of the accused individuals.

Brief facts

According to the amended charge sheet and brief facts presented in court, Ms. Botwe, also known as Maabena, was a house help of the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

The court heard that Ms. Agyei was also a former house help of the complainants. The complainants reported the case to the police in June of this year after detecting the theft of cash and their personal effects.

Ms. Botwe was caught entering the couple's room with a duplicate key.

Upon entering the room, Mr. Kuffour found Ms. Botwe hiding behind the door.

After the incident, the complainants realized that some of their properties were missing.

Ms. Botwe was arrested and released on police enquiry bail but went into hiding with her boyfriend, Benjamin, in Tamale.

While in Tamale, they allegedly rented a 3-bedroom apartment and a store.

Upon intelligence, the police arrested Ms. Botwe, leading to the retrieval of US$40,000 and GH¢72,619.70 from their apartment.

Ms. Botwe allegedly used the stolen money to buy a 3-bedroom house, a double-decker refrigerator, a water dispenser, a television set, a washing machine, and a chest cooler, among other items.

She also bought a Hyundai Elantra for Benjamin, who later sold it to purchase a Honda Civic.

Ms. Botwe also gave her father GH¢50,000 and GH¢1 million to her ex-boyfriend, Malik.

During interrogation, Ms. Botwe implicated Sarah as her accomplice.

Thus, when they were working together in the complainants’ house, Ms. Botwe used to keep watch at the main gate to enable Sarah to enter the couple’s room to steal, after which they shared the spoil.

Sarah was arrested at Budumburam and during investigation, it came to light that she used her portion of the stolen money to build the 3-bedroom house where she was arrested.

The case is set to continue on August 2, 2023.