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Cecilia Dapaah saga: Domelevo, Gyampo, 100 others petition Parliament to probe EOCO’s conduct
Some prominent Ghanaians including former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo have petitioned Parliament seeking a bipartisan probe into the conduct of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in the investigation regarding the stash of money found in the residence of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.
The group, which also has outspoken anti-graft campaigner Martin Kpebu, Security analyst Dr Adam Bona, academic Professor Ransford Gyampo and over 100 other Ghanaians spanning different walks of life, argue in their petition that EOCO had more than enough basis to investigate the former Minister for money laundering as she has been inconsistent and unable to provide the source over the huge amount of money seized at her residence by the Special Prosecutor.
“The failure to explain the source of the money should have been the cornerstone of the investigation,” the petition, which was submitted to Parliament on Thursday, May 16, 2024, noted among others.
It also raised concerns about what the group described as the deliberate refusal by EOCO to take steps to protect the money, which had been seized from the residence of the former minister by the OSP.
According to them “Upon receipt of the docket, EOCO did not act timeously to seize the money that the OSP was returning to Madam Cecilia Dapaah as publicly stated by the OSP.”
The petition also said EOCO has been inconsistent with their public commentary and actions in the investigation.
The development comes in the wake of the standoff between the state anti-corruption agencies investigating the former Minister over the stash of money.
The OSP is on record to have stated that EOCO lacks the appetite to probe the matter despite the detailed information it shared with them.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
