Eight accused request plea bargains in National Service fraud case

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed that eight individuals, including three former officers of the National Service Authority (NSA), are seeking plea bargains in connection with the ongoing financial scandal at the National Service Scheme (NSS).

According to Dr. Ayine, investigations revealed that GH¢189 million had been transferred into the said account, but GH¢80 million remains unaccounted for. Additionally, two cheques bearing Mr. Assibey’s name and account information were reportedly used to withdraw nearly GH¢2 million.

Providing an update during the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Monday, July 28, Dr. Ayine announced that the expected filing of charges has been temporarily halted due to the discovery of fresh evidence involving significant financial irregularities tied to a Bank of Ghana (BoG) account linked to the former NSA Director-General, Mr. Osei Assibey.

“The National Service Authority scandal case was due to be filed last week. However, we stumbled upon evidence of malfeasance involving an account at the Bank of Ghana,” Dr. Ayine stated.

Due to the seriousness of these revelations, Dr. Ayine explained that his office is delaying legal action while awaiting further documentation from the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance, and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.

He further disclosed that eight suspects, including the former NSA officers, have contacted the Attorney-General’s office to negotiate plea deals. Some of them, he added, have offered to testify against others involved in the scandal.

Vendors and service providers implicated in the scheme are also reportedly willing to serve as prosecution witnesses.

Reiterating the government’s stance on justice and accountability, Dr. Ayine emphasized:
“No individual found culpable will be shielded from accountability.”