OSP Suspects Money Laundering By Cecilia Dapaah
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has drawn curtains on its investigations into corruption and corruption-related offences by politician Cecilia Abena Dapaah after allegedly spotting activities of money laundering which are out of its jurisdiction.
In a statement, the Office said it had discontinued the case against her in court and transferred it to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
This was relayed in a press statement on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially transferred the investigation into the financial affairs and assets of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, along with her associates, to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
“After nearly seven months of an extensive investigation by the OSP and a parallel inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, no direct and immediate evidence of corruption has been found in the seized funds and frozen bank accounts linked to Ms Dapaah and her associates.”
It continued, “The investigation has identified strong indications of suspected money laundering and structuring. While the OSP acknowledges these suspected offences, they do not fall directly within the mandate of the Office. By law, the office cannot investigate, prosecute nor recover proceeds of crime except those that fall within corruption and corruption-related offences as defined under section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).”
Background
The OSP launched an investigation into the bank accounts and other properties of the former Minister for Sanitation in July 2023 after she sued her househelps for allegedly stealing US$1 million, €300,000, millions of Ghana cedis, six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to husband of the accused.
Investigations by the Office saw Ms Dapaah’s bank accounts frozen and the confiscation of $590,000 and GHC2.73 million from her residence during a search.
