$1 Million Theft Case: No Money or Jewellery Was Stolen – Lawyer for Patience Botwe Claims

The lead attorney for Patience Botwe, the main suspect in the alleged theft from former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has claimed that no money, jewellery, or personal items were actually stolen from the minister’s residence.

During cross-examination, Lawyer Lawrence Boampong pointed out inconsistencies in the amounts Cecilia Dapaah had reported missing to police in 2023. Dapaah had stated that her house help, then 17-year-old Patience Botwe, was caught by her husband in their bedroom at their Abelemkpe home. Following her arrest, the minister claimed that over $1 million was found missing.

She also reported that other items missing included $200,000 belonging to a family client, £300,000 from her husband, GH¢300,000 earmarked for her late mother’s funeral, and GH¢50,000 of her own money.

In court on May 30, Lawyer Boampong cited a caution statement Cecilia Dapaah gave to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), suggesting that she later adjusted the charge sheet to align with her responses during that investigation. He claimed Dapaah altered the figure to $800,000 to imply that the $590,000 later found in her home was the remainder of the stolen funds.

Dapaah denied intentionally amending the charge sheet, saying she was only aware that it had been updated.

Boampong further argued that Botwe couldn’t have stolen the money, as others—including the minister’s daughter—had access to the room where the funds were kept. Dapaah insisted her daughter was in boarding school at the time, but Boampong pressed that she may have been home between July and October 2022—a period during which the alleged thefts occurred. Dapaah said she couldn’t confirm that timeline.

Boampong continued by suggesting that not only did the minister’s husband and daughter have access to the room where the money was stored, but that Botwe’s alleged involvement was not exclusive.

Addressing accusations that Botwe used stolen funds to buy a red 2021 Acura sedan, Boampong claimed the car actually belonged to her elder brother, though registered in her name. Dapaah said she had no knowledge of the car, but believed through investigations that it was bought with stolen money. Boampong countered that the car and other alleged purchases were made by Botwe’s brother, not from any theft.

The case has been adjourned to June 5, when lawyers for the seventh accused person will begin their cross-examination of Cecilia Dapaah.