A new revelation has emerged in the ongoing trial of seven individuals accused of stealing valuables from the home of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
According to the lawyer for the second accused, Augustine Gyamfi, the alleged stolen jewelleries actually belonged to the late wife of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
During the cross-examination of Cecilia Dapaah on Monday, March 24, 2025, Gyamfi revealed that the former minister’s late brother, Nana Akwasi Essan II, was a subchief of the Asantehene.
He claimed that as a subchief, it was Essan’s duty to safeguard the properties of the wife of the Asante King.
Augustine Gyamfi stated that intelligence gathered suggested that the jewelleries allegedly stolen by the accused persons from Cecilia Dapaah’s home belonged to the late wife of Otumfuo Osei Tutu.
He claimed that the jewelleries had since been returned to the Manhyia Palace.
However, when Augustine Gyamfi asked Cecilia Dapaah to corroborate the claims, she denied any knowledge of the assertions.
“Do you want this court to believe that you haven’t returned jewelleries belonging to Otumfuo’s wife who’s from Pankrono through the Manhyia palace after the allegations that the accused persons stole them?” Gyamfi asked.
Cecilia Dapaah responded, “This has never happened. It’s history to me.”
Augustine Gyamfi expressed surprise that Cecilia Dapaah would accuse his client of stealing the jewelleries when, in fact, the former minister had returned the items to the Manhyia Palace.
He also pointed out discrepancies in the kente cloths allegedly stolen, claiming that they were different from the ones presented by the Police.
The seven accused persons, including Patience Botwe, Sarah Agyei, Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila, have been charged with conspiracy, stealing, dishonestly receiving, and money laundering.
They have pleaded not guilty to all charges and have been granted bail. The case has been adjourned to May 12 for continuation of Cecilia Dapaah’s cross-examination.
