Political Scientist Dr. Richard Amoako Baah has raised concerns over Attorney General (AG) and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame’s advice to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) regarding the case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, who is accused of corruption and money laundering.
Dr. Amoako Baah expressed disbelief at the AG’s suggestion that there was insufficient evidence of money laundering or corruption against the former minister, leading to a recommendation to cease the investigations.
He argued that even if the funds discovered at her properties were legally obtained, there should be an examination of potential tax evasion, a matter he believes the Attorney General should take the lead on.
During an interview on Accra-based Neat FM on Monday, May 6, 2024, he emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into whether taxes were paid on the funds found at her properties and to whom they were paid. He stressed the importance of a meticulous approach and avoiding unfounded accusations.
Dr. Amoako Baah criticized the AG’s stance, stating it lacked precedent in the country and deemed it inappropriate coming from the Attorney General himself.
However, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) refuted claims that it had cleared Cecilia Dapaah of corruption charges.
The OSP clarified that it did not exonerate the former Minister before transferring her case to EOCO.
Samuel Appiah Darko, the Director for Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, clarified that his office did not absolve Cecilia Dapaah of corruption-related offenses. He explained that the OSP concluded its investigation upon finding that the offense primarily involved money laundering.
