Former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, has provided testimony in an Accra High Court, detailing the theft of her jewellery, valued at $53,000, by her domestic workers. This marks the first time Mrs. Dapaah has taken the witness stand since the criminal trial began.
Testifying on Tuesday, March 11, Mrs.Dapaah described how her workers, in addition to stealing substantial amounts of cash, had taken valuable personal items she had collected over the past 30 years. The stolen jewellery was among the significant items, alongside other belongings that were allegedly taken over a period of time by her employees.
The ongoing trial involves accusations against two of Mrs. Dapaah’s former housekeepers, Patience Botwe (18) and Sarah Agyei (30), who are facing charges of conspiracy and five counts of theft. The thefts reportedly took place between July and October 2022, with the stolen items including clothes, Kente cloth, men’s suits, and significant sums of money.
According to reports, the two workers are accused of stealing millions of cedis’ worth of personal belongings, including the jewellery and cash, from the residence of Cecilia Dapaah and her husband in Abelemkpe, Accra. The stolen items were said to have been taken from the couple’s bedroom.
In a dramatic turn of events, Miss Botwe was apprehended in June 2023, caught entering the couple’s bedroom using a duplicate key. Subsequent investigations revealed that Botwe, with the help of Agyei, had hidden the stolen items and used the money to buy luxury properties.
Three other individuals, including Botwe’s former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for their alleged involvement in the theft. They are accused of dishonestly receiving stolen amounts, including GH¢1 million, GH¢180,000, and GH¢50,000.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Dapaah’s position as a former government minister, which prompted public scrutiny over the source of the stolen funds. Following the scandal, Dapaah resigned from her ministerial role in the face of public backlash and investigations into her finances.
This trial continues to unfold, with the Special Prosecutor’s office investigating the case further.
Source:TheDotNews