Lead Attorney for the accused, who stole certain amounts of monies from the residence of Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation, has slammed the Attorney-General’s office for what he calls disregard for the legal system.
Attorney Augustine Gyamfi stated that when the case was called on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, he anticipated the A-G’s office to appear in court and advise the court that they wished to take up the matter, rather than directing police prosecution to do so at his request.
“I feel if the A-G is desirous, and respects the judicial processes, they should have come to court today to tell the court that we want to take up the matter. However, certain things [sic] are not in place, therefore, we need one or two weeks to be able to take up the matter. You don’t sit in your office and you instruct the police prosecutor to tell the court that you want to take it up.”
Accused’s Attorney
During court proceedings, Police Prosecutor, DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye handling the case, informed the court, presided over by Afia Owusua Appiah that the Attorney-General would take over the case, hence needed time to put their house in order. Additionally, he disclosed that a total of seven people have been suspected of stealing and are currently being held in police custody after being accosted in Tamale.
Attorney Augustine Gyamfi further stated that the Attorney General’s action was a ruse to prevent his clients from receiving justice.
“Some of these things, we see it as some of the gimmicks to deny people of the justice that they need. This matter, there are so many strings here and there and we know it is one of those tactics and ploy to keep the people in the cells. I tell you, my clients have not stolen any monies.”
Accused’s Attorney
Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, two former housekeepers for Cecilia Dapaah, have been charged with conspiring to commit crime and five counts of theft, while Benjamin Sowah, Kwaku Botwe, and Malik Dauda have been accused of dishonestly receiving the allegedly stolen money.
Patience and Sarah have been named as main suspects in the investigation after they are accused of stealing money totaling $1 million as well as the former Minister’s personal items, including purses, perfumes, and jewelry valued at US$95,000 in addition to other items. Patience is also charged with stealing six pieces of Kente fabric costing GH90,000 and six pairs of men’s clothing worth US$3,000 that belonged to the former minister’s husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor.
Police Tasked To Investigate Ownership Of Monies Stolen
The Attorney General requested that the Police look into the ownership of the US$200,000 and €300,000 that were taken from the residence of Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
This occurred after the A-G claimed Madam Abena Dapaah failed to identify the owner of the money.
The A-G in its advice on the money stolen from Madam Dapaah said that “[She] stated in her initial complaint that $800,000 belonged to her deceased brother and GHC300,000 of contribution towards her mother’s funeral contained in a box and a bag respectively were stolen.” This is confirmed by Henry Osei Kwabena who told the police on 4th July 2023, that he brought the box of money to her sister for safekeeping.
Despite this, it is crucial that the police carry out their own inquiries into these claims to determine the following: Who actually owns the $800,000; The source(s) from which the determined owner of the $800,000 obtained the funds, as well as whether the accused truly took the entire $800,000 from the complainants’ home.
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