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An Accra Circuit Court has been told that huge sums of money and other items of Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour have been stolen from their Abelemkpe home.
According to the prosecution, the thefts happened between July and October last year.
The Chronicle newspaper reports that two house helps – Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30 – are currently facing charges before the Court for their alleged involvement in the theft.
The accused persons are facing one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
According to the same report, the pair during the same period allegedly stole the personal belongings of Cecilia Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery valued at US$95,000.
Further accusations involve Patience acting alone to steal six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to her husband.
Three additional persons have also been charged in connection with the thefts.
Benjamin, 29 and a plumber, has been accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, while Kweku Botwe, 65 and a trader, faces charges for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
Additionally, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed is alleged to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused individuals appeared before the Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20.
However, their pleas have not yet been taken.
Meanwhile, one of the accused persons, Sarah, a breastfeeding mother due to her condition has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million, with two sureties who are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
It was clarified that the bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
However, the other accused persons have been remanded into lawful custody.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught in the act, having opened and entered the couple’s room using a duplicate key. She was apprehended by Mr Kuffour upon his return home, having noticed the room was unlocked and hearing unusual noises from inside.
Further investigations revealed some of the stolen items and the money were in the possession of Patience and her associates.
The accused allegedly used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a three-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, while investigations continue.
