An Accra High Court has granted former Minister of Sanitation Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s request for an abridgement of time.
An abridgement of time is simply an order from the court that allows a motion or a legal matter to be heard on a shorter date.
It will be recalled that the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s application to have Mrs Dapaah’s assets frozen had been scheduled for October 18.
However, the legal team of the former sanitation minister urged the court to move the hearing forward as the longer date will cause irreparable damage to her reputation.
They added that the seizure of the money and the freezing of her accounts had caused and are causing her hardship, stress, and embarrassment.
After hearing from both parties, the trial judge, Justice Edward Twum, concurred that any further delay in the proceedings would be detrimental to the welfare of the former sanitation minister and her husband.
“In the interest of justice, fairness and expeditious trial, the court grants the applicant’s prayer,” Justice Twum said.
As a result, the case has been rescheduled from its original date of October 18 to the expedited date of October 12, addressing the urgency expressed by Ms. Dapaah.
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.