Leave Cecilia Dapaah alone, condemn thieving house helps – NPP MP

Alexander Akwasi Acquah, MP for Oda

Wed, 2 Aug 2023 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda constituency, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has come to her the defense of Cecilia Dapaah, former sanitation minister amidst her stolen money episode.

According to the lawmaker, it is unfair for Ghanaians to condemn the former minister without proper evidence of her involvement in any wrongdoing.

Speaking on a panel discussion on UTV’s Adekye Nsroma, the Oda MP said that the blame for the missing money should be placed on the house girls who are accused of theft.

He argued that capitalizing on the issue for political gains should be discouraged.

“The way we are accusing g her, condemning her and sentencing her… as a result she has resigned…I wouldn't say that people should praise her that she has done well but the condemnation should be directed to those that stole the money because now politicians are using the issue for political gains. And when you look at her resignation letter, she feels like she is clean so as a result she has resigned, but how people are treating the issue it seems like someone that has been sentenced to death.”

Cecilia Dapaah has since July 22 resigned her ministerial position and has been arrested and released on bail by the Special Prosecutor after a search was conducted at her residence.

Meanwhile, police have submitted the docket of the case of theft as reported by the minister and her husband to the Attorney-General for advice.

However, some relatives of the former minister have also been questioned about the stolen monies from her Abelemkpe residence which led to her resignation from office and the current probe by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

Background:

According to an official charge sheet from an Accra Circuit Court, the brazen thefts occurred at the couple's residence in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, over a three-month period from July to October 2022.

The accused, identified as Patience and Sarah, are facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of stealing involving staggering amounts of money.

Not only were monetary assets stolen, but the accused also allegedly made off with personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as valuable clothes, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry. The stolen items amounted to a shocking value of GH¢95,000 and US$95,000.

Further accusations involved Patience acting alone in the theft of cultural treasures, including 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, revealing the complexity of the case.

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 other personal expenses.

The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, while investigations continue.

Cecilia Dapaah Saga: I will defend her today and tomorrow; some Ghanaians are hypocrites, jealous and celebrate mediocrity - Alexander Akwasi Acquah#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/o5g2eaWzAt
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) July 26, 2023