Attorney General’s Office and Ministry of Justice advices OSP

The Attorney General’s Office and Ministry of Justice have advised against launching money laundering investigations into the activities of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).

This decision follows the Attorney General’s determination that the request made by the Special Prosecutor’s Office to EOCO, seeking to initiate money laundering investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s affairs, lacks a solid basis.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office made this request after discovering over 1 million dollars and other items at the former minister’s residence. However, upon collaborative investigations with agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States, it was found that the case did not fall under its mandate but raised concerns of money laundering.

Upon review, the Attorney General’s Office found that the Special Prosecutor’s Office did not submit the collaborative investigation report to EOCO, nor did it respond to requests from EOCO for its findings.

Analysis of the docket by the Attorney General’s Office revealed that it only contained the Special Prosecutor’s letter transmitting the docket, action diary, statements, and letters to other institutions like the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and banks.

Furthermore, the Attorney General’s Office found no findings of corruption or corruption-related offenses against Cecilia Dapaah in the docket.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the key aspect of money laundering charges is gains obtained from criminal proceeds arising from unlawful activity. As there were no criminal issues associated with Cecilia Dapaah’s properties, the Attorney General’s Office concluded that there is no basis for money laundering investigation.

Although EOCO has the power to initiate its investigation into Cecilia Dapaah’s affairs, the Attorney General’s Office advised against it, considering that the Special Prosecutor’s Office has instructed the Ghana Police Service to investigate the sources of funds found at her residence.