High Court Adjourns GH¢431.8m NSA Fraud Case Involving Osei Assibey Antwi

The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, has adjourned the criminal trial of former National Service Authority (NSA) Executive Director, Osei Assibey Antwi, to May 13, 2026.

The adjournment followed a request by the prosecution for additional time to file outstanding disclosures in the alleged ghost names scandal. The accused faces 21 charges, including causing financial loss to the state amounting to more than GH¢431.8 million.

Representing the Republic, Dufie Prempeh informed the court that the state had filed about 49 documents with attachments but needed more time to complete the remaining disclosures.

Defence counsel Ralph Poku-Adusei opposed a short adjournment, arguing that the prosecution had taken considerable time to prepare the documents and the defence needed adequate time to study them.

After considering submissions from both sides, Justice Quarshie granted a three-week adjournment and directed the prosecution to serve the defence promptly.

In a related development, the defence requested a variation of the accused’s bail conditions to allow him report to the Bureau of National Intelligence office in Kumasi instead of Accra. The prosecution did not object, and the court approved the request.

Mr. Assibey Antwi, who served as NSA Executive Director from September 2021 to January 2025, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case stems from alleged payments made to non-service personnel and unverified individuals following investigations, including a performance audit by the Auditor-General.

He remains on bail with conditions, including reporting twice monthly to the BNI, surrendering his passports, and being placed on a watch list.