Court Denies OSP’s Request to Freeze Cecilia Dapaah’s Account, Orders Return of Seized Cash

By: Doreen Boamah Darko

In a recent ruling, the court has
ordered the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return the seized money belonging to former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, within a period of seven days.

The OSP had applied for the freezing of Cecilia Dapaah’s bank accounts and assets, but the court has dismissed this application. Justice Edward Twum, in his ruling, stated that he found no reasonable grounds for the freezing of the respondent’s bank accounts.

Furthermore, the court held that the freezing of the accounts was done without any legal basis, and in the interest of fairness, it could not confirm the freezing as it was not carried out fairly.

Regarding the seizure of the monies discovered in Cecilia Dapaah’s home, the court also found fault with the OSP’s actions. It noted that the OSP did not provide justifiable grounds for the decision to seize the money found in her residence.

The court further emphasized that the actions taken by the OSP in freezing Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts and seizing the discovered money were merely reactionary responses to public sentiments. The court concluded that these actions were not based on any proper investigation conducted by the OSP.

This ruling raises questions about the OSP’s handling of the case and its adherence to legal procedures. It highlights the importance of conducting thorough investigations and providing sufficient grounds for freezing accounts and seizing assets.

Cecilia Dapaah can now expect the return of her seized money within a timeframe of seven days, as ordered by the court. The ruling serves as a reminder of the need for fairness and due process in the fight against corruption.

As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the OSP will respond to the court’s decision and whether any further legal actions will be taken. The public will be closely watching as transparency and accountability are key in combating corruption and ensuring justice is served.

It is crucial that all parties involved in such cases uphold the principles of fairness, legality, and thorough investigation to maintain public trust and confidence in the fight against corruption.

OSP Responds to Court’s Decision Regarding Cecilia Dapaah Investigation

In a recent development, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has responded to the decision of the High Court, Accra, regarding the investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

The OSP initiated the investigation in July 2023, focusing on large amounts of money and valuable items. However, on August 31, 2023, the High Court refused to grant the application for seizure and freezing orders, citing various reasons.

The Court’s decision was based on the belief that the confirmation of seizure application was filed out of time and that the OSP did not provide sufficient details of the transactions in the accounts. Additionally, the Court expressed concerns that the freezing order was based on public sentiments rather than proper investigations.

While respecting the Court’s decision, the OSP disagrees with the ruling and has outlined its reasons for doing so. Firstly, the OSP believes that the Court’s computation of the time limitation is erroneous. The OSP conducted searches and made discoveries over a two-week period, filing its application within the statutory window once the search and discovery period is considered.

Secondly, the seizure and freezing orders were based on reasonable suspicion, as Ms. Dapaah failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the source of reported stolen amounts, the amounts discovered during the searches, and the volume of transactions in her bank accounts and investments.

Contrary to the Court’s assertion, the freezing order was not influenced by public sentiments. It was issued in relation to a criminal matter before the Circuit Court, Accra, where Ms. Dapaah is the complainant.

Furthermore, the OSP emphasizes that the freezing order was implemented to aid the ongoing investigation, as required by law. It is incorrect to suggest that the OSP did not conduct proper investigations to justify the freezing order. The investigation is still in progress, and the OSP is committed to ensuring that the seized amounts and balances in Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments are safeguarded and not concealed, lost, or dissipated.

The OSP assures the public that it will take all necessary legal steps to uphold the integrity of the investigation and hold accountable those involved in any corrupt practices. Transparency and accountability remain at the forefront of the OSP’s mission as it continues its efforts to combat corruption in the country.

As the investigation unfolds, the OSP will provide updates to the public to maintain transparency and confidence in the process.