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Cecilia Dapaah’s $1m theft case: Lead suspect seeks bail, boyfriend’s request denied
Lawyers for Patience Botwe, the lead suspect in the theft case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecilia Dapaah, have filed for bail at the Circuit Court in Accra.
This follows several oral applications for bail by her lawyers.
Appearing in court on Tuesday, September 5, lead counsel for Madam Botwe, Nana Addo Asrifi prayed the court to grant his client bail, but this was opposed by the prosecution, led by an Assistant State Attorney, Akosua Agyeman.
Again, Madam Botwe’s boyfriend, Benjamin Sowah, also filed an application seeking bail but that was rejected by the presiding judge, Afia Owusuaa Appiah.
The judge explained that the role played by Mr Sowah in the alleged theft case, the amount of money he is believed to have received and the manner in which he was arrested was taken into consideration to deny him bail.
However, Yahaya Sumaila, an excavator operator who is the seventh accused person, was granted bail in the sum of GH¢300,000 with two sureties to be justified.
He is also to deposit his passport at the registry of the court and report to the police once every fortnight.
Addressing the court, the Assistant State Attorney asked for a two-week adjournment to enable investigators to conclude their investigations.
She blamed the delay on the directives given to the investigators upon the Attorney General’s advice on the case docket.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to September 19.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
