Cecilia Dapaah: OSP meets with FBI and department of justice officials in Washington

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, on Monday, October 23, met with officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) at their Washington, D.C. headquarters.

A statement from the OSP explained that the visit was to gain insights into the FBI’s organizational structure, operations, and best practices, with a focus on enhancing collaboration and capacity building.

During the visit, the Special Prosecutor met with Jason Beachy, the Acting Assistant Director of the International Operations Division at the FBI, and a group of unit chiefs.

Additionally, the OSP met with the Department of Justice (DOJ), where they were received by Arun G. Rao, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and Richard Goldberg, Deputy Director of the Consumer Protection Branch (CPB) within the DOJ’s Civil Division.

The OSP’s visit to the FBI and DOJ follows the announcement made on October 11, stating that the FBI had initiated investigations into the financial activities of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her associates.

The investigations primarily focus on examining their assets and financial transactions within the United States, with the goal of ascertaining the lawfulness of their wealth.

Ms Dapaah’s court hurdles began when seven persons, including her house help, were hauled before the court for stealing $1 million,  €300,000, and other valuables from her residence.

The OSP subsequently filed a motion to freeze her bank accounts, and monies recovered after searching her residence.

Aside from the funds in her accounts, US$590,000 and over GH¢2.730,000 were also recovered from her residence on July 24.

The Accra High Court is yet to decide whether Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng can continue to hold Mrs Dapaah’s seized cash, which he has described as tainted.