The Attorney-General’s Office is still considering a plea bargain application filed by Patience Botwe, the lead suspect in the high-profile theft case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
Botwe is one of seven individuals standing trial for the alleged theft of large sums of cash, jewellery, and other personal items from the former minister’s residence.
Botwe and her fellow housemaid, Sarah Agyei, are charged with conspiracy to steal and multiple counts of theft, while five others — Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila — face charges of dishonestly receiving stolen property.
During proceedings at the Accra High Court on Monday, May 12, State Attorney Abena Konadu Adjei informed the court that initial plea bargain petitions had been filed by five of the accused.
However, four of those applications — submitted by Sarah Agyei, Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, and Yahaya Sumaila — have since been withdrawn.
The prosecution confirmed that only Patience Botwe’s plea bargain request remains under active consideration by the Attorney-General.
The State Attorney therefore requested additional time for the A-G’s office to finalize its decision on the matter.
Presiding judge, Justice Marie Louise Simmons, also instructed the prosecution to refile any intended motions, following indications that the state would be seeking a court order to freeze assets allegedly acquired with proceeds from the stolen items.
Meanwhile, the legal team representing the third and fourth accused persons cross-examined former Minister Cecilia Dapaah during the hearing.
The case has been adjourned to Friday, May 16, for continuation.
