The Accra High Court has granted Gifty Oware Mensah, former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), bail of GHC10 million with three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property.
Oware Mensah, who has pleaded not guilty to charges including stealing, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state, is accused of orchestrating the inclusion of over 9,000 ghost names into the NSA’s Central Management System.
The alleged fraud is believed to have cost the state more than GHC38 million.
Her lawyers, led by Nana Banyin Ackon on behalf of Gary Nimako, argued for bail, stating that she is not a flight risk and has fully cooperated with investigators.
They also highlighted that she is a mother to a young child and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Prosecution, led by Director of Public Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa, did not object to the bail request but urged the court to set conditions that would ensure her presence throughout the trial.
“From the charges and the facts that we read out, the accused person, through her activity, has caused a total loss of GHC38.4 million to the republic,” Obuobisa told the court.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay granted the bail and directed that the accused’s passport be deposited with the court registrar. Her name has also been placed on a Stop List at all Ghanaian entry points.
She is to report to police investigators twice monthly, on the first Tuesday and Thursday, until further notice.
The case has been adjourned to November 25.
