The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has followed the High Court’s directive to return Cecillia Dapaah’s confiscated cash and unfreeze her bank accounts and investments. However, these assets have been seized again as part of an ongoing investigation into their acquisition.
In a press release issued by the OSP on September 5, it confirmed that it had adhered to the High Court’s orders to unfreeze Dapaah’s accounts and investments and return her seized cash. This return was done in the presence of her legal representatives.
The release stated, “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has complied with the ruling and order of the High Court, Accra dated 31 August 2023 by unfreezing the frozen bank accounts and investments of Cecilia Abena Dapaah.” It further mentioned that this compliance marked the termination of proceedings initiated on July 24, 2023, regarding the seizure of cash and the freezing of bank accounts and investments starting from July 26, 2023.
OSP Communications pic.twitter.com/9BT7lbISSa
— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) September 5, 2023
However, the OSP has re-seized the funds, citing conflicting accounts provided by the former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister regarding their ownership. The OSP has assured the public that it will pursue the necessary legal processes to confirm the seizure.
The press release concluded that her accounts have been frozen once more, and the OSP has taken action to prevent the concealment or loss of the seized cash amounts.
Background:
The Financial and Economic Division of an Accra High Court ordered the Office of the Special Prosecutor to return all money confiscated from Cecilia Dapaah, the embattled former Sanitation Minister. The court refused to grant the application to confirm the seizure on the grounds that it was filed out of time. It also noted that the OSP did not provide sufficient grounds for the seizure and freezing, as it had not disclosed the transaction details in the accounts. The freezing order was deemed to be based on public sentiment without proper investigations. The court ordered compliance with its ruling within seven days and stated that it could not confirm the freezing of her bank accounts and other properties.