NSS ghost name ‘scandal’: Why Osei Assibey Antwi’s lawyer appeared ‘naked’ in court
NSS ghost name ‘scandal’: ‘My client has not been served with charge sheet’ — Assibey Antwi’s lawyer tell court
Exactly five days after the charge sheet against former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA) Osei Assibey Antwi was shared in the media, his lawyers have told the Criminal Division of the High Court that their client has not been served, a reason for his absence in court today.
On Monday October 13, 2025, the Attorney-General filed charges against the former NSA boss, accusing him of authorising payments of Gh¢500,861,744.02 allowances to over 60,000 non-existent (ghost) national service personnel.
Mr Antwi, who lives in Kumasi was expected to appear before the court for his plea to be taken in respect of 14 counts of causing financial loss, stealing, and money laundering.
However, when the case was called at 12 noon today (October 16) his lawyer, Paa Kwesi Kuboadzi came to court in an African wear instread of the regular black and white suit with the legal robe and wig.
The lawyer told Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie that he was only called about an hour ago to appear in court.
“Unfortunately, for today’s case we were not given any notice. I was called about an hour ago to appear before the court. That is why I am not robed,” counsel told the court.
He prayed for the prosecution to give them ample notice to properly appear before the court.
Prosecution
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, told the court that the charge sheet was filed but the prosecution did not have a hearing date.
“We also did not know the case had been scheduled for today. My instructions are that we will file hearing notice as to the day we will appear.
She prayed the court to allow the accused person, who currently reports to investigators in Kumasi to report to investigators in Accra.
The DPP assured the court that the prosecution would serve the accused with the charges and facts and inform him of when he should be in court for the first hearing.
The presiding judge said the court would not be in a position to give a date for hearing adding, “The court will await the Republic to arraign the accused.”
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine has charged former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA) Osei Assibey Antwi and former deputy Executive Director of the authority, Gifty Oware Mensah, for allegedly authorising payments of allowances to 69,934 non-existent (ghost) national service personnel.
According to the prosecution, between August 2021 and February 2025, Antwi allegedly authroised payments of Gh¢ 500,861,744.02 allowances to over 60,000 non-existent (ghost) national service personnel.
The prosecution, has therefore charged him with fourteen counts of causing financial loss, stealing, and money laundering
Gifty Oware
For Mensah, she is alleged to have generated 9,934 ghost names from the NSA Central Management System (CMS).
After that she allegedly took control of Blocks of Life Consult Limited by making her mother's driver one of the company's directors and presented same to ADB with the explanation that she had supplied goods on hire-purchase to the 9,934 ghost names and wanted to use their allowances as collateral for the facility.
This scheme, according to the prosecution allegedly allowed her to fraudulently obtain GHC 38,458,248.87 from the bank through source deductions of the 9,934 non-existence allowance over 11 months.
She has been charged with five counts of willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
They are expected to be arraigned at the High Court in Accra this week where their pleas in respect of the charges would be taken.
