According to a report from Yawanews. In a new twist in the investigation surrounding Cecilia Dapaah, Ghana’s former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has revealed unusual financial activities involving an account belonging to her late brother. According to recent reports, the bank account of Dapaah’s deceased brother, Nana Akwasi Essan, has continued to make significant money transfers to her, despite his passing nearly two years ago. This revelation comes as the OSP investigates financial irregularities and frozen accounts linked to Dapaah, involving amounts reportedly totaling more than 40 million Ghanaian cedis.
The OSP uncovered these unexpected transactions while scrutinizing bank accounts and financial statements related to the former minister. In their findings, OSP officials reported “highly suspicious transactions” associated with Essan’s account. Despite Essan’s death in January 2022, his account has remained active, with records showing ongoing fund transfers to Dapaah’s account. This has raised questions about the legitimacy and origins of these transactions, as well as the handling of Essan’s finances since his passing.
According to Ghanaian law, when a person dies, their assets, including bank accounts, should be managed through probate or letters of administration, issued to their personal representatives. However, the OSP highlighted that there has been no record of any probate or legal transfer of administration related to Essan’s estate at any financial institution. This unusual activity has added to the suspicion, prompting the OSP to probe further into the nature and purpose of the transactions.
“Analysis of the statements in the first respondent’s [Cecilia Dapaah’s] bank account revealed highly suspicious transactions involving the name of the first respondent’s deceased brother – Nana Akwasi Essan,” reads part of the OSP’s findings. The office confirmed that Essan’s account, which should have been settled through estate management procedures after his death, had somehow continued to facilitate transactions.
Adding weight to the OSP’s concerns, investigators noted recent transaction dates from Essan’s account to Dapaah’s. Specifically, amounts of 10,450 cedis and 11,280 cedis were reportedly transferred on September 19, 2022, and May 2023, respectively. These transactions, the OSP suggests, are inconsistent with standard banking practices for a deceased account holder. It is also unclear who may be responsible for keeping Essan’s account active or why these funds were directed toward Dapaah’s accounts.
The OSP alleges that these transactions could indicate an attempt to bypass legal procedures around inheritance and estate management, with further implications of money laundering or financial misconduct. This suspicion is further compounded by the fact that these transactions occurred well after Essan’s death, leading officials to question who authorized them and whether they could be linked to any broader financial schemes involving the former minister.
The financial probe into Dapaah’s assets began following suspicions over large cash holdings found in her home and accounts, sparking concerns over the origin of these funds. Following these discoveries, the OSP seized substantial amounts of cash and ordered freezes on certain accounts as part of an ongoing inquiry into Dapaah’s finances and potential misuse of public office.
Dapaah has yet to publicly address these new allegations, but legal analysts suggest that the case may hinge on proving the legitimacy and sources of the transactions attributed to her late brother. The OSP’s revelations add another layer of complexity to the investigation and could lead to further actions if the funds are indeed found to be part of a broader scheme.
This latest development underscores the OSP’s commitment to unearthing irregularities in financial dealings, particularly when connected to individuals in positions of power. The office has pledged to continue its examination of Dapaah’s finances to ascertain whether any laws were violated and if further action is warranted.