EOCO could have done more investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s case – GII

Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiatives (GII), Mary Awelana Addah, has stated that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) could have done more thorough investigations into the case of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

This follows the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice advising the EOCO against initiating money laundering investigations into the case of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

Upon a request for advice by EOCO on the matter, the Attorney General’s office, in a letter dated April 25, 2024, and copied to EOCO, said it found that the OSP did not submit the report on its collaborative investigation to EOCO.

Additionally, the office noted the OSP has not responded to EOCO’s request for its findings.

Speaking on JoyNews AM show on May 2, Mrs Addah stated that while EOCO may rely on the Attorney General’s Office for legal advice, it could have continued its investigation independently until it was necessary to seek advice for prosecution.

She noted that EOCO should have pursued the investigation to its logical conclusion before consulting the Attorney General’s Office, emphasising the importance of a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by public officials.

“But then it is what it is; it is very unfortunate; let me not mince words at all. The impression this is creating is that we can always get away with anything, particularly when it comes to issues around allegations of corruption because we would use the weakness in the regime or legal regime to get away with them,” she said.

“And this goes to confirm what the President said because he was speaking from the point of authority; perhaps our laws were not robust.”

Mrs Addah suggested that EOCO could have conducted a thorough investigation into Cecilia Dapaah’s case by scrutinising her lifestyle, which could have provided valuable information and evidence.

She emphasised that lifestyle audits are a crucial tool in investigating allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds, and EOCO should have employed this method to ensure a more comprehensive and transparent investigation.

“It is sad, but it is what it is from our current legislation and our current work. Unfortunately, we believe EOCO could have taken this up from another angle when you look at their laws.

“When you look at Section 1(3) of the current anti-money laundering law, you would see that they could have done a lifestyle,” she stated.