Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of deliberately avoiding a money laundering investigation into former Sanitation Minister Cecelia Dapaah. According to Domelevo, EOCO’s reluctance stems from their awareness that Dapaah would struggle to explain the source of her substantial funds.
Speaking to Joy News, Domelevo alleged that EOCO requested irrelevant documents despite having sufficient evidence to initiate a money laundering probe. “It is very clear to the Attorney-General and EOCO that Cecelia Dapaah would likely be unable to explain the source of the money,” he stated. Domelevo added that if EOCO commenced an investigation and Dapaah failed to justify the origin of the funds, she would violate sections 1 and 3 of the anti-money laundering law.
Former Majority Leader Cletus Avoka echoed Domelevo’s sentiments, describing EOCO’s actions as a “travesty of justice.” Avoka, who also served as Interior Minister, criticized EOCO’s handling of the case, calling it corrupt and urging the government to take stronger action. “EOCO’s treatment of the Cecelia Dapaah case is a travesty of justice. The government must do more about this incident,” he said.
The controversy centers around a significant amount of money found at Dapaah’s residence by the Special Prosecutor. The discovery has prompted a coalition of prominent Ghanaians, including Domelevo, to file a petition to Parliament seeking a bipartisan probe into EOCO’s conduct. The group, which includes outspoken anti-graft campaigner Martin Kpebu, security analyst Dr. Adam Bona, academic Professor Ransford Gyampo, and over 100 others, argue that EOCO had ample reason to investigate Dapaah for money laundering given her inconsistencies and failure to explain the source of the seized funds.
The petition, submitted to Parliament on May 16, 2024, emphasizes that the inability to explain the source of the money should have been the focal point of EOCO’s investigation. It also criticizes EOCO for not taking adequate steps to secure the money seized from Dapaah’s residence.
As the call for a thorough investigation grows louder, the case highlights concerns about transparency and accountability within Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions. The outcome of this petition and the subsequent parliamentary actions could have significant implications for the fight against corruption in the country.