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Two housekeepers who work for Cecilia Abena Dapaah are facing charges at an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from their madam and husband, Mr. Daniel Osei Kuffour residence at Abelemkpe in Accra.
The accused person, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The incident thefts happened between July and October 2022.
During this time, the housekeepers allegedly embezzled personal belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who said to the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources the items, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Additionally, Ms. Botwe is accused of looting six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men's suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister's husband. In addition, three other individuals, Ms. Botwe's current and former boyfriends, and her father, also face charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They have been respectively charged dishonestly, receiving GH¢1 million, GH¢180,000, and GH¢50,000.
According to court proceedings, the stolen monies and items belonged to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, taken from their bedroom in their residence. The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Susana Ekuful, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have yet to be taken.
The court granted bail to Sarah Agyei in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties. The sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court's registrar. The bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge, as Susana Ekuful served as a relief judge.
On the other hand, Ms. Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, have been remanded into lawful custody. The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects.
Ms. Botwe was caught red-handed entering the couple's room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest. Further investigations revealed that with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, Patience had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items.
The court continues the case to decide what will happen to those accused on August 2, 2023.
Brief facts According to the amended charge sheet and quick facts presented in court, Ms. Botwe, also known as Maabena, was a house help of the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour, and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
The court heard that Ms. Agyei was also a former house help of the complainants. The complainants reported the case to the police in June of this year after detecting the theft of cash and their personal effects.
Ms. Botwe was caught entering the couple's room with a duplicate key. Upon entering the room, Mr. Kuffour found Ms. Botwe hiding behind the door. After the incident, the complainants realized some of their properties were missing.
Ms. Botwe was arrested and released on police inquiry bail but went into hiding with her boyfriend, Benjamin, in Tamale. While in Tamale, they allegedly rented a 3-bedroom apartment and a store. Upon intelligence, the police arrested Ms. Botwe, leading to the retrieval of US$40,000 and GH¢72,619.70 from their apartment.
Ms. Botwe is accused of using the stolen funds to purchase, among other things, a three-bedroom home, a double-decker refrigerator, a water dispenser, a television, a washing machine, and a chest cooler. She also bought a Hyundai Elantra for Benjamin, who later sold it to purchase a Honda Civic.
Ms. Botwe also gave her father GH¢50,000 and GH¢1 million to her ex-boyfriend, Malik. During interrogation, Ms. Botwe implicated Sarah as her accomplice. The case is set to continue on August 2, 2023.
Source: graphic.com.gh