A group of concerned citizens has formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, to initiate a parliamentary probe into the Economic and Organized Crime Office’s (EOCO) failure to investigate serious money laundering allegations against former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband, Mr. Osei Kuffour.

The petition, signed by notable figures including security expert Dr. Adam Bonaa and former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, cited Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament as the basis for their request. The citizens urged for the establishment of a bipartisan committee to scrutinize EOCO’s actions and inactions regarding the case.

“It is the situation that the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), led by its executive secretary Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has chosen not to investigate the allegations of money laundering against Cecilia Dapaah.”
“EOCO claims that they cannot comprehend the basis of the OSP’s opinion that Madam Dapaah (former minister for Sanitation and Water Resources) and her husband were potentially involved in money laundering regarding the substantial sums of cash discovered in their residence and in various bank accounts.”
Dr. Adam Bonaa and Daniel Yaw Domelevo

The petitioners alleged that EOCO’s response has been inadequate and contradictory. Upon receiving the docket, EOCO sought directions from the Attorney-General (A-G) on February 15, 2024, which the petitioners argue was unnecessary given the clear evidence already provided by the OSP.

Furthermore, the petitioners claimed EOCO’s press statements have been inconsistent. Initially, EOCO claimed to have returned the docket to the OSP on May 3, 2024, but later admissions from Ms. Addo-Danquah contradicted this, revealing that the docket was yet to be sent.

The petition details several inconsistencies in Ms. Dapaah’s explanations regarding the source of the money. Initially, she claimed that $1,000,000 found in her home belonged to her deceased brother and was part of funeral donations. However, when challenged by the deceased’s widow, Ms. Dapaah recanted and provided a new explanation that the money came from two cosmetic businesses she owned. Investigations by the OSP revealed these businesses did not belong to her, further raising suspicions.

The petitioners emphasized that under section 1(3) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), possession of unexplained wealth is sufficient grounds for a money laundering charge. Given the ample evidence and over twenty witness statements included in the OSP’s docket, the citizens find it hard to believe that EOCO could not comprehend the case details, suggesting potential malfeasance or deliberate inaction.

Call to Action

The petition called for a thorough parliamentary probe into EOCO’s handling of the case, the actions of the Attorney-General’s office, and the overall integrity of the investigation process. The petitioners argue that these lapses undermine Ghana’s fight against corruption and impede democratic progress.

“EOCO’s inconsistent statements and failure to act decisively on clear evidence point to a need for immediate parliamentary oversight,” the petitioners stated. They believe that a bipartisan committee will ensure transparency and accountability in addressing these serious allegations.

EOCO’s Failure to Investigate

The controversy began when the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) handed over a docket to EOCO on January 21, 2024. The OSP had conducted preliminary investigations into Ms. Dapaah and found no direct evidence of corruption but suspected money laundering and structuring offenses related to substantial amounts of cash discovered at her residence and in various bank accounts.

EOCO, led by Executive Secretary Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, did not act promptly on the dossier. The OSP had seized $590,000 and over GHC 2,700,000 from Ms. Dapaah’s home in Abelenkpe, Accra, and had also frozen her bank accounts, which held millions of Ghana Cedis and Dollars. Despite these actions, EOCO did not take steps to seize the money or pursue further investigation.

This petition underscores the citizens’ commitment to promoting good governance and fighting corruption in Ghana. As the nation awaits the Speaker’s response, the spotlight remains on EOCO and its leadership, with a growing public demand for accountability and justice.