Former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, has testified in an Accra High Court as part of the ongoing criminal trial of her domestic workers who are accused of stealing huge sums of money and other valuables from her.
For the first time since the trial began, Mrs Dapaah took to the witness box on Tuesday, March 11, and detailed how her jewellery, valued at $53,000, was stolen by the accused individuals.
Mrs Dapaah, who served as a Minister of State at the time, explained that aside from stealing cash, the accused persons stole valuable items she had accumulated over three decades.
In addition to the jewellery, she stated that other treasured personal belongings were also taken over a period of time by the accused workers.
This testimony is a significant development in the trial, where the former minister has outlined the loss of her valuable possessions.
Background
The case involving the former Minister revolves around allegations of theft committed by her domestic workers.
According to reports, two of her workers are accused of stealing a significant amount of her personal property, including cash, jewellery, and other valuables.
Since 2023, the two former housekeepers for the minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour have been facing charges for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence at Abelemkpe in Accra.
The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing.
The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house workers allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000.
Additionally, Ms Botwe is accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.
Three other individuals, identified as Ms Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They have been respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GH¢1 million, GH¢180,000, and GH¢50,000.
According to court proceedings, the stolen monies and items belonged to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, taken from their bedroom in their residence.
The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects.
Ms Botwe was caught red-handed entering the couple’s room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest.
Further investigations revealed that Patience, with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items.
Subsequently, the Special Prosecutor announced that his office was investigating the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.
But the case with the OSP wasn’t successful despite the public backlash that forced Madam Dapaah to resign as minister of state since many questioned the source of the funds stashed in her home as a public official.
