The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally redirected its investigation into the financial activities and assets of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and associates to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The decision comes after an extensive seven-month inquiry by the OSP, alongside a parallel investigation by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), failed to uncover immediate evidence of corruption related to the seized funds and frozen bank accounts linked to Ms. Dapaah and her associates.
In compliance with section 3 of Act 959, which mandates the OSP to cooperate and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, the case has been transferred to EOCO for further investigation. The OSP acknowledges strong indications of suspected money laundering and structuring, clarifying that these offenses do not fall directly within the mandate of the office. According to section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), the OSP can only investigate, prosecute, and recover proceeds of crime related to corruption and corruption-related offenses.
The OSP’s actions in August 2023 included freezing Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and confiscating $590,000 and GH¢2.73 million from her residence. These measures were taken in response to reports of a substantial theft of cash in cedis and foreign currencies. The extended duration of frozen bank accounts and seized funds pending the investigation outcome prompted the OSP to transfer a portion of the inquiry to the FBI, considering allegations involving the transfer of funds from the United States.
As the case shifts to EOCO, the focus turns toward investigating the suspected money laundering and structuring activities associated with Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her associates.
