We’ve not closed investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s scandal – AG’s office
A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, Isaac Wilberforce Mensah, has refuted claims that the office has closed investigations into the scandal involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
This follows the AG’s advice to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) not to conduct money laundering investigations into the affairs of the former Sanitation Minister.
This advice was given following the Attorney General’s determination that the Special Prosecutor’s request to EOCO to initiate money laundering investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s affairs lacked a solid foundation.
Based on this, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama said his government will pursue the case if he wins the December general elections.
He added, “My administration will revisit inquiries into alleged corruption and misconduct related to the Cecilia Dapaah case.”
However, Mr Mensah clarified that the Attorney General’s advice did not imply that it had halted investigations into the matter.
He said neither the Office of the Special Prosecutor nor the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had established any offence.
“What the AG has done is not to close any door for investigation. We have not closed any door for investigation. The AG has indicated already that the police are investigating this matter.
“Even most of the documents that the OSP relied on for its investigations were documents procured from the police or obtained from the Ghana Police Service. So how has the AG or the Office of the AG by this letter closed investigations? It is thus certainly not what the letter sought to suggest,” he said on Citi News.
He also welcomed Mr Mahama’s commitment to reopen investigations if he becomes President.
“The office of the AG transcends administrations. So yes. If investigations are opened and there is the need to prosecute. Why not? But as it stands now no crime has been established,” he stated.
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 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.
But now, the OSP has no case against the minister.