In a bold defense of former Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, esteemed Ghanaian lawyer Sam Okudzeto has stepped into the fray, challenging the accusations swirling around her alleged possession of money at her residence.
Amidst mounting criticism aimed at Dapaah, Okudzeto vehemently pushed back against the tide, asserting that there exists no legal framework condemning the act of holding cash at home. He emphasized the need for concrete evidence before accusations of wrongdoing can be leveled against an individual.
“The question is, if you come and you find money with me, do I owe any duty to you to explain whose money? When nobody has complained that I have stolen his money, over a million, what difference does it make? Foreign currency?” Okudzeto queried, highlighting what he perceives as unfair treatment towards Dapaah.
Okudzeto also lambasted what he sees as a double standard in Ghanaian society, criticizing the lack of scrutiny towards individuals who flaunt wealth through extravagant construction projects without proper accountability.
Rejecting the notion of convicting based on circumstantial evidence, Okudzeto underscored the principle of establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal proceedings. He argued that without concrete evidence, accusations should not serve as instruments of judgment.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) initiated investigations into corruption and corruption-related offenses allegedly linked to Dapaah late last year. This move followed charges brought against two domestic workers for allegedly stealing substantial sums of money and valuable items from Dapaah’s residence.
The OSP’s actions, including freezing Dapaah’s bank accounts containing millions of dollars and cedis, underscore the gravity of the allegations against the former minister. However, the legal battle’s fate hangs in the balance as the OSP and the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) engage in accusations and counter-accusations.
The OSP transferred Dapaah’s case to the EOCO for further investigation, particularly regarding money laundering allegations. Yet, the Office of The Attorney General advised the EOCO against pursuing the money laundering allegations, deeming them “baseless.”
As the saga unfolds, attention remains riveted on the legal and ethical dimensions surrounding Dapaah’s case, with Okudzeto’s staunch defense adding another layer to the ongoing discourse.