The former Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, has entered a plea of not guilty to fourteen counts of alleged financial misconduct preferred against him by the State.
The charges include causing financial loss to the Republic, stealing, and money laundering, allegedly involving sums exceeding GH¢1.5 billion.
At the hearing on Thursday, October 30, Her Ladyship Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie admitted the accused to bail in the amount of GH¢800 million.
The terms require six sureties, each of whom must provide immovable property valued to match the bail sum as surety
Further to the bail conditions, the court directed the accused to surrender all travel documents to the Registry and ordered that his details be placed on a stop-list with the Ghana Immigration Service.
The accused must also report to the Police Headquarters on the first and third Wednesdays of every month until the matter is finally determined.
The prosecution asserts that, in his capacity as the principal spending officer and authorised signatory to the NSA’s financial accounts, Mr Osei-Assibey sanctioned payments to non-existent personnel, thereby occasioning substantial financial loss to the State.
The individual counts relate to alleged unlawful transactions ranging from GH¢516,000 to GH¢55 million.
Counsel for the accused, Mr Osei Owusu, contended that his client has been subjected to unfair public condemnation and emphasised his innocence
He submitted that the accused has cooperated fully with investigators, poses no flight risk, and has a longstanding record of service to the Republic.
The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, did not oppose the application for bail but requested the court to take cognisance of the seriousness of the allegations and the magnitude of the sums in question.
He further submitted that certain recent actions of the accused raise concerns regarding his continued availability for trial
The court has ordered the prosecution to file all disclosures. The matter has been adjourned to 2nd December 2025 at 9:00 a.m. for further proceedings.
source:www.senaradioonline.com
