The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has submitted a petition to the Chief Justice, requesting that Justice Edward Twum, who is currently presiding over the cases of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, recuse himself from the proceedings.
Justice Twum adjourned the two cases between the OSP and Cecilia Abena Dapaah to October 18 for further directives from the Chief Justice.
However, during today's proceedings on Thursday, October 12, Justice Twum informed the court that he had received a letter from the OSP to the Chief Justice, requesting his recusal.
The specific reasons for the OSP's request were not mentioned by the judge.
Victoria Barth, legal counsel for Mrs. Dapaah, expressed her surprise at the OSP's absence in court.
She emphasized that there is no legal procedure that dispenses with the requirement of the presence of a lawyer or prosecutor in court due to a petition filed with the Chief Justice.
Mrs. Dapaah is currently facing charges related to her failure to declare her assets while serving as a Minister.
She has also applied for the expedited hearing of a case in which the OSP seeks to freeze her accounts for the second time.
These cases were scheduled to be heard but have been postponed to October 18, pending the Chief Justice's decision.
On August 31, 2023, Justice Twum dismissed the OSP's application to freeze the former Minister's accounts, stating that the OSP filed the application beyond the prescribed date and failed to provide a legal basis for freezing her accounts.
The OSP is investigating Mrs. Dapaah for allegations of corruption and related offenses.
These allegations arose during a case in the Circuit Court, where she and her spouse, Dr. Osei Kuffour, faced accusations of their house help stealing substantial sums, including $1 million, from their Abelemkpe residence. This case is still pending before the Circuit Court.
- Reporting by Joyce Danso: Editing by Adejoke Adewale