The case of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has been thrust back into the spotlight with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) reopening investigations into the matter. This resurgence comes after a period of investigative inactivity and a renewed interest from EOCO’s new leadership. Dapaah’s case initially garnered significant public attention in 2023 following revelations of substantial amounts of cash and other valuables discovered in her possession and that of individuals connected to her. Suspicions of corruption triggered investigations by both the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), yet both agencies were unable to definitively link Dapaah to corrupt practices after extensive inquiries.
The initial OSP investigation, which ran concurrently with the FBI’s probe, spanned nearly seven months. While it didn’t unearth direct evidence of corruption against Dapaah, the OSP pointed towards “strong indications of suspected money laundering and financial structuring.” These suspicions fell outside the OSP’s direct mandate, leading them to hand over the case to EOCO in January 2024. EOCO, however, returned the case docket to the OSP just four months later, in May 2024, claiming a lack of jurisdiction. Their argument hinged on the legal understanding that money laundering is not a primary offense but rather a secondary one, dependent on a preceding criminal act (a predicate offense). Since no such predicate offense related to Dapaah had been established, EOCO contended that it couldn’t proceed with the investigation.
Fast forward to May 2025, and the narrative takes a significant turn. EOCO, now under new leadership, expressed renewed interest in the Dapaah case. On May 14, 2025, the agency formally requested the case docket from the OSP, signalling their intention to review the matter and potentially launch a fresh investigation. The OSP promptly responded, forwarding a duplicate docket to EOCO on May 29, 2025. This exchange, confirmed by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng during a press conference on June 2, 2025, marks the official reopening of investigations by EOCO.
Special Prosecutor Agyebeng underscored the OSP’s willingness to collaborate fully with EOCO in this renewed investigative endeavor. He emphasized the docket’s value as background material for EOCO’s investigation into the aspects of the case that fall squarely within their jurisdiction. He also reiterated that the OSP does not have a direct mandate to pursue these specific financial crimes, namely, money laundering and financial structuring. This clarifies the division of labor between the two agencies and highlights the importance of EOCO’s involvement in pursuing these specific lines of inquiry.
The renewed investigation into Cecilia Dapaah’s case signals a second phase of scrutiny, this time focused on the potential financial crimes of money laundering and structuring. This new direction is a direct result of the OSP’s initial findings, which hinted at these possibilities but fell outside their purview to investigate further. EOCO’s renewed interest, driven by its new leadership, suggests a potential shift in perspective and a willingness to delve into the complexities of the financial aspects of the case. With the OSP pledging full cooperation, the coming months are likely to offer a clearer picture of the financial transactions surrounding the former minister and whether they constitute criminal activity.
The reopening of this case is not simply a procedural matter; it’s a testament to the evolving understanding of the case itself. The initial focus on corruption, while yielding no direct evidence against Dapaah, paved the way for a deeper examination of the financial transactions involved. This shift signifies a recognition that financial impropriety can exist even in the absence of proven corruption, and that such impropriety deserves thorough investigation. The renewed investigation offers a chance to explore these nuances further, potentially shedding light on the source and movement of the substantial funds involved, as well as the structures utilized in their management. This renewed scrutiny could also provide a more comprehensive understanding of potential financial crimes and their connection, if any, to the former minister.
