Renowned private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has voiced a striking opinion, asserting that the recent scandal involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah reflects President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s diminishing moral stance on corruption.
Kpebu’s remarks on the Cecilia Dapaah case came during an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, where he commented on revelations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The OSP disclosed that the former Sanitation Minister had employed aliases to obscure transactions related to her undisclosed real estate business. Additionally, it was revealed that her late brother’s bank account remained active, with money continuing to be sent to her.
Kpebu stated, “President Akufo-Addo has lost the moral stand; he is no longer on a moral high horse. He couldn’t fire the minister. The minister left by herself, and that showed Akufo-Addo is weak; he couldn’t fire her. Meanwhile, in opposition, he said, ‘I will not support corruption, I will not do family and friends.’ He was using family and friends in this instance; he couldn’t sack her. It took public opinion, public pressure, and then Madam Dapaah went.”
Furthermore, Kpebu highlighted the issue of the president’s choice of ministers, stating, “The other side that comes in is that he didn’t select well. So once he didn’t select a good minister and the minister is embroiled in all of this embarrassing thing, it also touches on the president. Don’t forget they say show me your friend, and I will show you my character. So sometimes there is that collective punishment.”
The OSP’s investigation into Cecilia Dapaah’s actions revealed the use of aliases to conceal real estate transactions and the reception of proceeds in her bank accounts and investments.
Additionally, it raised suspicions about substantial unexplained cash sums discovered in her residence, some of which were allegedly misappropriated by her house-helps.
Moreover, the OSP discovered that a bank account belonging to Cecilia Dapaah’s deceased brother had been actively transferring money to her account, raising further questions about the financial affairs of the former minister.
This latest scandal casts a shadow over the administration, prompting questions about its commitment to combating corruption and maintaining moral standards.
