$1 million, €300,000, and millions Stolen from Minister’s Home
$1 million, €300,000, and millions Stolen from Minister’s Home
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, have fallen victim to a shocking theft, with an estimated $1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis stolen from their home in Abelemkpe, Accra. The accused individuals, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, who worked as house helps for the couple, are currently on trial for their alleged involvement in the theft.
Charges
The accused individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of stealing. It is alleged that the theft took place between July and October 2022, and Patience is also accused of involving her current and former boyfriends, as well as her father, in the stealing spree.
Stolen Items
Among the stolen items are personal effects belonging to Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothing valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth $95,000. Additionally, Patience allegedly stole six pieces of Kente clothes valued at GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits worth $3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
There are also charges against individuals accused of receiving stolen property.
Benjamin, a plumber, has been charged with dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, Kweku Botwe, a trader, has been charged with receiving GH¢50,000, and Malik Dauda, who is currently unemployed, has been charged with receiving GH¢1 million.
Court
The accused individuals appeared before the Accra Circuit Court on July 20, 2023, with Judge Susana Ekuful presiding. Sarah was granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million due to her status as a nursing mother, while Patience and her alleged accomplices were remanded into custody.
According to reports from local newspaper Chronicle, the theft was reported to the police by Daniel Osei Kuffour and Cecilia Abena Dapaah in June after they discovered the missing cash and personal effects. The charges were filed after Patience was caught entering the complainants’ room using a duplicate key, which led to the subsequent investigation uncovering the extent of the stolen items.
Patience and Her boyfriend
Patience and her boyfriend, Benjamin, managed to evade arrest and fled to Tamale, where they allegedly rented an expensive 3-bedroom apartment and a store. However, they were eventually apprehended by the police, resulting in the recovery of US$40,000 and GH¢72,619.70 during a search of their apartment.
Patience also used some of the stolen money to purchase a 3-bedroom house worth US$70,000 in Amrahia, which was furnished with various new household items.
During interrogation, Patience implicated Sarah as her accomplice. It is alleged that Patience would keep watch at the main gate while Sarah entered the couple’s room to steal. Sarah was subsequently arrested at Budumburam, where it was discovered that she used her portion of the stolen money to build a 3-bedroom house.
The court has adjourned the case until August 2, 2023, where further proceedings will take place.
