Two House Helps Face Theft Charges: Two house helps, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, find themselves facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court.
This is for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts, targeting the home of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour.
The Alleged Crimes Unveiled
The alleged thefts, amounting to millions of Ghana Cedis, reportedly occurred at the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, between July and October 2022, as reported by The Chronicle.
The Charges and Accusations
Both accused, Patience and Sarah, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving substantial sums of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
During the same period, the pair is accused of pilfering personal effects from Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, as well as handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Additionally, Patience allegedly acted alone in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to the minister’s husband.
Involvement of Others
The court has also charged three other individuals in connection with the thefts. Benjamin, a 29-year-old plumber, stands accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, while Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, faces charges for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000. Moreover, Malik Dauda, a 23-year-old unemployed individual, is alleged to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
Court Proceedings and Bail
All five accused individuals appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not yet been taken.
Among the accused, Sarah has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million, provided that two sureties deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar. It’s important to note that the bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge, as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During the briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. Sarah, on the other hand, was granted bail due to being a breastfeeding mother.
The Background and Investigations
According to the prosecution, Patience, also known as Maabena, had previously worked as a house help for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
Similarly, Sarah had also served as a former house help for the couple. The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught in the act, having opened and entered the couple’s room using a duplicate key. She was apprehended by Mr. Kuffour upon his return home, having noticed the room was unlocked and hearing unusual noises from inside.
Further investigations led to the discovery of the stolen items and money in possession of Patience and her associates.
Reportedly, the accused used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
Awaiting Justice: Two House Helps Face Theft Charges
As the case unfolds, the court has adjourned the proceedings to August 2, 2023, allowing ongoing investigations to delve deeper into this gripping tale of alleged conspiracy and substantial larceny.
