Former President John Mahama has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the investigation into corruption allegations involving former Health Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaa.
Two house helpers working for Mrs. Dapaa and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor, have been charged in the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing millions of cedis worth of goods from the couple’s residence in Abelemkupe, Accra. .
The accused are 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sara Agyei, who are charged with criminal conspiracy and five counts of theft, including theft of US$1 million, €300,000 and millions of Ghanaian cedis. was included. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
Also read: How the domestic help stolen from Cecilia Dapaa’s home blew millions of dollars.
After the special prosecutor referred the matter to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for a money laundering investigation, the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Justice initiated a money laundering investigation into the transactions of former individuals against EOCO. recommended not to do so. Minister of Health.
The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that the key to moving money laundering investigations forward is the ability to prove that financial benefit was derived from the proceeds of crime resulting from illegal activity.
Also read: OSP’s request for money laundering investigation against Cecilia Dapaah is baseless – AG advises EOCO
The Attorney General’s Office also recommended that EOCO not investigate Cecilia Dapaa’s sources of funds, as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is tasked with handling that aspect of the case.
Against this backdrop, the opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, which is heading into the 2024 general election, disapproved of developments on this issue.
In a post on X on Thursday, May 2, he said the government would reopen an investigation into “allegations of graft and corruption” in the former health minister’s case.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mary Awerana Ada, said EOCO could have conducted a more thorough investigation into the case of former Health Minister Cecilia Dapaa.
She said EOCO could have turned to the AG’s office for legal advice, but could have continued the investigation independently until it needed to seek prosecution advice.
He said EOCO should have carried the investigation to its logical conclusion before consulting the Attorney General’s Office.
“But it is what it is. It’s very unfortunate. Don’t mince words. This has created the impression that we can get away with anything at any time, especially when it comes to matters involving allegations of corruption. , because they try to escape by exploiting the weaknesses of the government and the legal system,” she said.
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