The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has reopened investigations into former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, in a renewed institutional drive to probe suspected financial crimes. This comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) flagged strong indications of money laundering and structuring offences which fall within EOCO’s mandate.
Announcing the development at a press conference in Accra, the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, disclosed that the reopening followed a formal request by EOCO’s new leadership. Agyebeng confirmed that his office responded to the request by forwarding a duplicate of the case docket for further review and possible investigation.
“The new leadership at EOCO has shown interest in the matter, and based on our findings which strongly suggest financial structuring and laundering activities, we have cooperated by transferring the relevant documentation,” he stated.
Background of the case
The OSP began probing Cecilia Dapaah in 2023 after reports emerged that large sums of foreign and local currencies over $1 million, €300,000 and millions of Ghana cedis had been stolen from her Abelemkpe residence. The revelations sparked public outrage and questions over the source of the funds.
While the OSP initially led the investigation into possible corruption and corruption-related offences, a parallel inquiry was also launched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, due to the foreign currency involved and suspected cross-border elements.
Despite nearly seven months of joint investigation, both agencies failed to uncover immediate or direct evidence of corruption tied to Cecilia Dapaah or her associates. However, the OSP noted that its probe revealed strong signs of suspected money laundering and structuring, financial crimes which do not fall within its prosecutorial jurisdiction.
While Cecilia Dapaah has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings, the reopening of the case ensures that the matter will once again be subject to scrutiny under a legal regime that specializes in economic and organised crimes.
