Kofi Adams Expresses Discomfort with OSP’s Decision to Transfer Cecilia Dapaah Case to Other Agencies

Kofi Adams, the Member of Parliament for Buem, has voiced his unease regarding the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) choice to delegate the investigation into the case involving former Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah to other entities. Adams noted that there is a prevailing public confidence in the OSP, making him uneasy about the decision to involve alternative investigative bodies.

During an appearance on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, January 20, Adams expressed his reservations, stating, “I am not too comfortable that he will be passing this on to another body. There appears to be more confidence in his office than the other agencies.”

The OSP justified its decision by revealing that its ongoing investigation revealed potential money laundering elements, a matter beyond its prescribed mandate. The office assured that directives and further actions concerning the Cecilia Dapaah case would be issued in due course.

The OSP’s second half-year report dated December 29, 2023, disclosed, “The investigation shows that the case is largely in the province of suspected money laundering and structuring. By operation of law, there are other law enforcement agencies which are reposed with a direct mandate in respect of money laundering and structuring. On that score, the Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.”

Recalling events from July 2023, the OSP initiated an investigation into suspected corruption involving large sums of money and valuables linked to Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her spouse, Daniel Osei-Kufour. The investigation aimed to determine the source of significant cash sums, leading to freezing bank accounts, seizing assets, and legal proceedings.

The investigation took an international turn in October 2023 when the persons of interest claimed that part of the seized cash had been transported from the United States. Consequently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collaborated with the OSP in the cross-border inquiry. In October 2023, the OSP revoked freezing orders on five of Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts, no longer considered tainted property in the ongoing investigation.