Chief Justice declines request to remove judge in Cecilia Dapaah’s case

The request to remove the trial judge in the former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s court cases is currently in limbo.

This is because Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo “is unable to accede to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s request for His Lordship Justice Edward Twum to be recused”.

No reason was given in the latest update posted on the OSP’s official page on Wednesday, October 25.

It will be recalled that the OSP, on October 11, petitioned the Chief Justice to remove Justice Edward Twum from all cases involving the OSP pending before him.

The basis for this request is the OSP’s belief that the trial judge was biased against both the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, himself.

As a result of this perceived bias, the OSP has expressed its inability to reasonably participate in proceedings before Justice Edward Twum, hence the petition.

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 Office of the Special Prosecutor (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.

Meanwhile, 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.