Cecilia Dapaah Saga: Two more suspects arrested over stolen millions
Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection to the huge amounts of money stolen from the residence of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.
The arrest of the two brings the number of accused persons to seven.
Presenting the case on Tuesday, August 2, the case prosecutor DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, made the revelation to the Accra Circuit Court.
All accused persons were, however, absent in court when the case was called.
DSP Nyamekye explained that they were absent because the investigators were in Tamale, where the two new arrests were made, for further investigations.
Meanwhile, one of them, the second accused, Sarah Agyei, was granted bail last week, but she is yet to meet the bail conditions.
Background
The accused persons are currently facing charges for allegedly stealing an amount of $1 million, €300,000, a substantial amount of Ghana cedis and other valuables, including jewellery and expensive perfumes, at the former minister’s residence.
According to the prosecution, the culprits stole the items between July and October 2022.
Two suspects —18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, have already been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of stealing while three others — Benjamin Sowah, Kwaku Botwe, and Malik Dauda have been charged with dishonestly receiving the alleged stolen money.
The accused allegedly used the stolen funds to finance various purchases, including renting a three-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The reports sparked various reactions from the public, with many calling for a probe into the source of wealth of the former minister.
Less than 48 hours after the issue went viral, Cecilia Dapaah tendered her resignation letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Following her resignation, the Office of the Special Prosecutor arrested her over corruption and corruption-related offences.