The former minister of sanitation and water resources Cecilia Dapaah has been placed “under arrest in respect of suspected corruption”, an official statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announced on Monday (24 July).
Dapaah resigned over the weekend following reports that cash and goods worth millions of cedis had been stolen by two of her househelps at her residence in Abelenkpe, Accra.
The two principal accused, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are 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 househelps allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GHC95,000 and handbags, perfumes and jewellery worth $95,000.
Additionally, Botwe is accused of stealing six sets of kente cloth worth GHC90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at $3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.
Furthermore, three other individuals, identified as Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for alleged involvement in the crime. They are charged with dishonestly receiving GHC1 million, GHC180,000 and GHC50,000, respectively.
A statement issued by the OSP said Dapaah is being questioned in connection with the matter.
“Cecilia Dapaah, who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22 July 2023, was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence,” the OSP statement said.
Below is the full statement:
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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