The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been cautioned by lawyer Maurice Ampaw that failing to defend former sanitation minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah will have long-term ramifications.
Maurice Ampaw discussed how the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has recently backed its troubled members on his Mmra Ne Abrabo Mu Nsem Show on Wontumi TV on August 21, 2023.
He mentioned the instance of James Gyakye Quayson, Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency, who was expelled from Parliament and is presently facing criminal proceedings in the High Court.
He stated that just like the way the NDC supported him in regaining his seat, the NPP must cope with Ms. Dapaah, who is being probed for corruption and corruption-related offences after large quantities of cash were reportedly seized from her apartment.
He argued that Cecilia Dapaah is not legally considered a criminal and stressed that her purported conduct did not constitute a break of any laws.
“While the NPP is there stating that Cecilia Dapaah ought to plead her defence since she initiated it and the rule governing law must operate, the NDC got along collectively to assist Gyakye Quayson in court and during his trials.
“If you don’t come and defend the poor woman who is currently being attacked, the consequences will come, and you will live to regret it because Cecilia Dapaah has never broken any laws; in fact, she is not a criminal, a thief, or a criminal in the eyes of any law,” he stated.
Following an investigation of her home, Cecilia Dapaah, who had stepped down from her job as a minister, was detained by the Special Prosecutor and later freed on bail.
Regarding the supposed theft case, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyabeng, and his team opened a corruption and corruption-related inquiry targeting Madam Cecilia Dapaah.
Consequently, the OSP acted by freezing a number of the former minister’s bank and investment accounts and is now asking the High Court in Accra for an authorization order. Although the troubled minister’s attorneys have informed the High Court that the discovery of money in their client’s Abelemkpe home does not imply that she is the owner of the funds.