The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has refused to comply with the Accra High Court’s decision that it restore Cecilia Dapaah’s confiscated funds.
On Thursday, August 31, an Accra High Court ordered the OSP to refund the money within seven days and to reverse its August 9 decision to freeze her Dollar and Cedi accounts.
However, in response to the Court’s ruling, the OSP stated that it accepts the direction but disagrees with it since it is incorrect.
“While the OSP respects the Court’s decision, it disagrees with the decision of the Court. First, the OSP believes that the Court’s computation of the time limitation is, with respect, erroneous. The OSP searched three (3) private residences associated with Ms. Dapaah over the course of two (2) weeks. The searches and discovery were ongoing during that period. There is little doubt that the OSP filed its application within the statutory window once the search and discovery window is considered.”
The OSP further emphasized that their decision to freeze the accounts of the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources was not based on public sentiment, as previously stated.
“The freezing order was not based on public sentiments. Rather, it was based on court processes filed in a criminal matter before the Circuit Court, Accra involving Ms. Dapaah as the complainant. Further, the freezing order was effected to aid the investigation, as required by law, not on the basis of the investigation, as indicated by the Court. Therefore, it cannot be said that the OSP did not carry out proper investigations to warrant the freezing order. The investigation has only commenced, and it is ongoing.”
Following the discovery that Madam Dapaah was storing more than $1 million in her home, the OSP is investigating her for corruption and corruption-related offenses.
The OSP’s statement is below.
