The High Court in Accra has recently decided to strike out State Prosecutors’ request to restrict two housemaids of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and five others from disposing of properties allegedly bought with stolen money from the alleged crime.
This ruling was made by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons after the prosecution was asked to provide further and better particulars of their application seeking restrictions on the disposal of properties.
During the court session on Monday, March 24, the State Prosecutors informed the Court that they were withdrawing the application, following discussions with their superiors. Justice Mrs. Simmons subsequently announced that the application for an order to restrict the disposal of properties had been struck out as withdrawn.
The accused persons, including Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, have pleaded not guilty to a combined 31 counts, which include charges of conspiracy, stealing, dishonestly receiving, and money laundering. Despite being granted bail, they are still in lawful custody and are yet to fulfill their bail conditions.
The Case Management Conference has commenced, and the parties involved are expected to conclude the case by April 17, 2024. The prosecution had previously sought an order restricting the disposal of properties allegedly purchased with stolen funds of the former sanitation minister, citing section 147 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Act, Act 30 as the grounds.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Simmons, pointed out that the said section related to third parties in possession of properties and as a result, the court could not consider the application in its current form. The charges against the accused persons have also increased to 31 counts, including allegations of stealing various sums of money and money laundering.
The accused persons, including the former minister’s housemaids, have not been restricted from disposing of the properties, paving the way for further proceedings in the case.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
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