The criminal trial of Osei Assibey Antwi, former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), has been adjourned to February 25 to allow the Republic to file an amended charge sheet following the submission of a new audit report.
The matter, initially scheduled for a Case Management Conference (CMC), could not proceed after prosecutors informed the court that the Auditor-General of Ghana had completed a performance audit into the operations of the NSA. The audit report was submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department on February 16, just a day before the scheduled hearing.
State attorneys explained that a preliminary review of the audit findings indicated the existing charges against Mr. Assibey Antwi require amendment. However, the timing of the report’s submission prevented the Republic from filing the revised charge sheet before the hearing. The prosecution requested a short adjournment to allow for a comprehensive review of the audit and formal amendment of the charges, which the court granted.
The accused is expected to take his plea on the amended charges when proceedings resume on February 25.
Mr. Assibey Antwi faces multiple counts, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, and money laundering, related to the alleged “ghost names” scandal at the NSA. Prosecutors allege that, during his tenure, allowances were paid to thousands of non-existent national service personnel, resulting in significant financial losses.
He is also accused of unlawfully transferring public funds into personal accounts and authorizing withdrawals from NSA project funds without lawful justification.
The former NSA Executive Director has pleaded not guilty to the initial charges.
, has been adjourned to February 25 to allow the Republic to file an amended charge sheet following the submission of a new audit report.){kind=link}