Saturday, 27 July

OSP collaborating with other state institutions to fight Auntie Cici's suspected money laundering

News
Kissi Agyebeng, OSP

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has announced a collaborative effort with state agencies to investigate suspected money laundering allegations against former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah. 

The decision to expand the probe comes in light of the findings from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Mr Agyebeng explained that the investigation took on an international dimension when individuals under scrutiny claimed that part of the seized cash sums was transported to the United States.

Consequently, the FBI became involved in a collaborative investigative effort with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on the matter.

"The investigation has been largely aimed at determining the sources of the large cash sums. 

"We have had the benefits of five months of investigation, and the circumstances of the case are clearer to us.

"Part of the case is in the province of money laundering and structuring," he stated.

Mr Agyebeng emphasised that the OSP lacks the specific mandate to investigate money laundering cases, necessitating collaboration with law enforcement agencies that have a direct mandate for such investigations.

"The OSP does not have a direct mandate on money laundering; therefore, the office will invite law enforcement agencies that have a direct money laundering mandate for collaborative work in respect of those parts of the case," he added.

In October 2023, the Office of the Special Prosecutor sought assistance from the FBI to probe the activities of Cecilia Dapaah and her associates. The focus of the FBI's involvement was primarily on examining assets and financial transactions within the United States.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah