The Accra High Court has deferred the hearing of the case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to Thursday, January 25, 2024.

The case pertains to the former Minister's alleged failure to disclose her income and property to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Furthermore, the OSP's application to confirm freezing and seizure orders related to bank accounts and assets at Cecilia Dapaah's residence has also been rescheduled to January 25.

Lawyers for Madam Dapaah filed an injunction application against the OSP on October 10, 2023, citing potential irreparable damage if the OSP is not restrained.

“This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State's power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants' considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”

The Human Rights Court in Accra is hearing this application filed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor.

The case, which seeks to restrain the OSP from continuing to freeze Madam Dapaah’s accounts and seizing cash recovered from their residence, has been adjourned to February 1, 2024.

Background:

Two house helps who worked for Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are facing charges for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence at Abelemkpe in Accra.

The main accused individuals, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.

The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Ms. Botwe and her alleged accomplices have been remanded into lawful custody, while Sarah Agyei has been granted bail.

The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects.

Investigations revealed that Patience, with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items. The Special Prosecutor announced that his office was investigating the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.

“This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State's power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants' considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”