A-G yet to decide on plea bargain request of first acccused in Cecilia Dapaah theft case

The Office of the Attorney-General is still reviewing a plea bargain request submitted by Patience Botwe, the lead accused in the high-profile theft case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

Botwe, alongside fellow housemaid Sarah Agyei, has been charged with conspiracy and theft of large sums of money, jewellery, and personal items belonging to the former minister. Five others—Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila—are being prosecuted for dishonestly receiving stolen property.

At a previous court sitting, State Attorney Abena Konadu Adjei informed the court that five of the accused had submitted petitions to the Attorney-General’s office seeking plea deals. However, during proceedings on Monday, May 12, she confirmed that the requests from Sarah Agyei, Sowah, Dauda, and Sumaila had been formally withdrawn. The only outstanding plea bargain under review is that of Botwe.

Attorney Adjei requested additional time from the court to allow the Attorney-General’s office to finalize its decision on Botwe’s petition.

Presiding judge, Her Honour Marie Louise Simmons, directed the prosecution to refile its motions after it was disclosed that an application would soon be made to freeze properties allegedly acquired using proceeds from the theft.

Meanwhile, the former minister, Cecilia Dapaah, appeared in court and was cross-examined by the defence counsel for the third and fourth accused persons. The case has been adjourned to Friday, May 16, for further proceedings.