EOCO reopens Cecilia Dapaah case after year-long stalemate
By DL News
Published
1 min read
At a press briefing held in Accra, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng disclosed that EOCO had officially requested access to the case file once again.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has revived investigations into former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, marking a significant development in a case that had remained dormant for nearly a year.
At a press briefing held in Accra, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng disclosed that EOCO had officially requested access to the case file once again. In response, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) promptly forwarded a duplicate docket for EOCO’s independent review and possible probe.
The case stems from an investigation the OSP began in July 2023, targeting alleged corruption involving large sums of cash and valuables associated with the former minister and individuals close to her. While the OSP—working in parallel with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation—did not uncover definitive evidence of corruption related to the seized money and frozen accounts, it flagged strong indications of potential money laundering and structuring activities.
Due to jurisdictional limitations, the OSP handed over the case to EOCO in January 2024. However, EOCO subsequently returned the file, arguing that money laundering must stem from a proven predicate offense and that no such foundational crime had been established. As a result, EOCO claimed it lacked the legal basis to proceed.
This impasse has now shifted under EOCO’s new leadership. In a letter dated May 14, 2025, the agency expressed renewed interest and requested the OSP to resubmit the docket. On May 29, the OSP complied, delivering a full duplicate case file.
Special Prosecutor Agyebeng emphasized that while the OSP’s mandate does not extend to investigating money laundering as a standalone offense, it views the EOCO’s fresh approach as a vital step in addressing unresolved aspects of the case.
The move signals a new chapter in a high-profile investigation that has drawn national attention since large amounts of unexplained cash were discovered in the minister’s residence, triggering widespread public concern and calls for accountability.
