Cecilia Dapaah’s husband testifies in alleged $1m theft case

Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s husband appeared before the High Court in Accra as the first prosecution witness in a theft case where their former maids stand accused of allegedly stealing $1 million.

Daniel Osei Kuffuor, an architect and Cecilia Dapaah’s husband, testified that he was shocked to discover that Sarah Agyei, one of the maids, had allegedly conspired with others to be involved in theft of their money.

Under cross-examination by Mr. Augustine Gyamfi, counsel for the accused, Mr. Kuffuor expressed his astonishment at the allegations against Ms. Agyei.

He explained that she had worked for him and his wife for five years, earning their trust. He said, “I was very surprised to find out that they were linked up. Because the five years, I never suspected anything, so I was shocked when I found out that she was linked up in this matter.”

When Mr. Gyamfi suggested that his client, Ms. Agyei, was innocent and only implicated because of the stolen money, Mr. Kuffuor firmly disagreed.

The case involves Patience

Botwe, 18, the first accused, and Sarah Agyei, 30, along with five others charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and stealing.

The additional defendants are Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila. All defendants have pleaded not guilty and remain in prison custody pending trial.

According to the amended charge sheet and brief facts presented in court, Ms. Botwe, also known as Maabena, was employed as a house help by the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffuor and Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

Ms. Agyei had previously worked for the couple. The theft came to light in June last year when the complainants reported missing cash and personal effects to the police.

Mr. Kuffuor recounted a particular incident where Ms. Botwe was found in their bedroom with a duplicate key. Upon discovering her hiding behind the door, he realized that several of their belongings were missing.

This incident led to Ms. Botwe’s arrest, though she was initially released on police inquiry bail. However, she subsequently went into hiding with her boyfriend, Benjamin, in Tamale.

In Tamale, Ms. Botwe and her boyfriend rented a three-bedroom apartment and a store. Following her arrest, the police recovered $40,000 and GH¢72,619.70 from the apartment.

Allegedly, Ms. Botwe used the stolen funds to purchase various items, including a three-bedroom house, a double-decker refrigerator, a water dispenser, a television set, a washing machine, and a chest cooler. Additionally, she bought a Hyundai Elantra for Benjamin, who later sold it to purchase a Honda Civic.

The court heard that Ms. Botwe had also given her father GH¢50,000 and handed over GH¢1 million to her ex-boyfriend, Malik.

During police interrogation, Ms. Botwe implicated Sarah Agyei as her accomplice in the theft. This admission added another layer of complexity to the case, as it suggested a deeper level of conspiracy involving multiple individuals.

Throughout his testimony, Mr. Kuffuor remained resolute in his stance against the accused.

Despite Mr. Gyamfi’s attempts to suggest otherwise, Mr. Kuffuor maintained that the evidence pointed to the involvement of Ms. Agyei and others in the theft.

His surprise and sense of betrayal were evident as he recounted the trust he and his wife had placed in their employees, only to have that trust shattered by the alleged conspiracy.

The case has garnered significant attention, not only due to the high-profile status of the complainants but also because of the substantial amount of money involved.

The theft of $1 million, coupled with the detailed accounts of how the stolen money was allegedly spent, paints a picture of a meticulously planned and executed crime.

The recovery of various items and significant sums of money from the accused further corroborates the prosecution’s case against them.

ALSO READ: Cecilia & Akonta: President told us so! (Feature)

As the trial progresses, the defense will likely continue to challenge the prosecution’s narrative, aiming to cast doubt on the involvement of their clients.

Mr. Gyamfi’s line of questioning suggests that the defense might argue the money’s disappearance and subsequent use could involve other individuals or motives not directly linked to the accused.

The broader implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom. It raises questions about the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to internal theft and the trust placed in domestic staff.

The incident has prompted discussions about the need for enhanced security measures and the vetting of household employees.

Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, presiding over the case, will have to weigh the testimonies and evidence presented by both sides carefully.

The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, particularly those involving substantial sums of money and trusted employees.

The testimonies of the accused and other witnesses in the coming sessions will be crucial.

They may provide further insights into the alleged conspiracy and the extent of each defendant’s involvement. As Mr. Kuffuor’s testimony highlights, the betrayal of trust is a significant element in this case, underscoring the personal impact on the victims beyond the financial loss.

In conclusion, the case involving the alleged theft of $1 million from Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor, continues to unfold with significant public and legal interest.

The testimony of Mr. Kuffuor as the first prosecution witness has set a compelling narrative of trust and betrayal.

As the trial moves forward, the court will delve deeper into the details of the alleged conspiracy, the roles of the accused, and the broader implications of such a high-profile theft.

Share Our Post on the Topic ‘Cecilia Dapaah’s husband testifies in alleged $1m theft case’.

To Read More Stories, Click Here.