Minister’s Mansion Plundered: $1 Million, €300K, and Millions of Ghana Cedis Disappear Without a Trace
Two house assistants, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are currently facing charges in an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in the theft of significant amounts of money and personal belongings belonging to Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour.
According to a report by The Chronicle, the theft, which involves millions of Ghana Cedis, reportedly occurred at the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, between July and October 2022.
Patience and Sarah, the accused, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of theft, involving amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
During the same period, the pair allegedly stole personal items from Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including various clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry valued at US$95,000.
Further accusations involve Patience acting alone to steal six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to the minister’s husband.
The court has also charged three additional individuals in connection with the thefts. Benjamin, a 29-year-old plumber, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, while Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, faces charges for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000. Additionally, Malik Dauda, a 23-year-old unemployed individual, is alleged to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused individuals appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not yet been taken.
Of the accused, Sarah has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million, with two sureties required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar. It was clarified that the bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge, as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
Judge Susana Ekuful revealed in her briefing that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah was granted bail due to being a breastfeeding mother.
According to the prosecution, Patience, also known as Maabena, previously worked as a house assistant for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Sarah, too, was a former house assistant for the couple.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of this year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught in the act, having opened and entered the couple’s room using a duplicate key. Mr. Kuffour apprehended her upon his return home, as he noticed the room was unlocked and heard unusual noises from inside.
Further investigations revealed the stolen items and money in the possession of Patience and her associates.
The accused allegedly used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, while investigations continue.