Office of the Special Prosecutor Denies Clearing Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah Amidst Corruption Allegations
Inter-Agency Dispute Arises Over Handling of Investigation into Money Laundering Accusations
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has refuted claims of exonerating former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah from corruption-related charges, amid a burgeoning controversy over the handling of investigations into alleged money laundering activities involving the former minister and her domestic staff.
The probe into Cecilia Dapaah’s conduct was initiated following allegations of corruption and financial impropriety, sparked by reports of her domestic staff allegedly embezzling significant sums of local and foreign currencies, as well as personal belongings belonging to the former minister and her spouse.
Following an extensive investigative period, the OSP concluded its inquiry and transferred the case to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), citing the prevalence of money laundering elements in the offenses uncovered. However, the Attorney General’s office raised concerns over the lack of an investigative report and requisite documentation to substantiate a money laundering prosecution.
Samuel Appiah Darko, the Director for Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, clarified in an interview with Joy News that his office did not absolve Cecilia Dapaah of corruption-related charges. He emphasized that the investigation primarily pointed towards money laundering rather than corruption offenses, citing inconsistencies in Dapaah’s explanations regarding the seized funds.
Mr. Darko underscored that the OSP had provided essential documentation, including caution statements from multiple suspects, to EOCO to facilitate an independent investigation into the financial transactions at play. He clarified that the OSP’s referral to EOCO was based on whistleblowing principles, aimed at providing critical information to aid in the scrutiny of the case.
Furthermore, Mr. Darko elucidated the rationale behind transferring the case to EOCO instead of directly pursuing a money laundering examination. He emphasized that their role was to guide EOCO’s probe rather than dictate its course of action.
The intricate inter-agency dispute over the handling of the investigation underscores the complexities involved in dealing with allegations of financial misconduct and corruption at high levels. As legal and investigative processes unfold, public scrutiny remains heightened for further developments in this ongoing saga, highlighting the critical importance of transparency and collaboration among law enforcement agencies in addressing such allegations.