The former Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Mr. Osei-Assibey Antwi, has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of financial crimes involving more than GHC1.5 billion.
He entered the plea when he appeared before Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie at the High Court in Accra on Thursday. The charges include causing financial loss to the state, stealing, and money laundering.
The Court granted Mr. Osei-Assibey bail in the sum of GHC800 million, with six sureties who must each present landed property equivalent to the bail amount.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused is to deposit all his passports at the Court Registry and will be placed on the Ghana Immigration Service stop list.
He is also required to report to the Police Headquarters twice monthly on the first and third Wednesdays until the case is determined.
According to the charge sheet, while serving as the principal spending officer and a signatory to the NSA’s accounts, Mr. Osei-Assibey is alleged to have authorised payments to non-existent persons, leading to substantial financial losses to the state. The alleged transactions cover various sums ranging from GHC516,000 to GHC55 million.
Counsel for the accused, Mr. Osei Owusu, told the Court that his client had been “unfairly portrayed in the media,” noting that he had fully cooperated with investigators and posed no flight risk. He described Mr. Osei-Assibey as a “dedicated public servant” who had served the country in several capacities.
Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, did not oppose the bail application but urged the Court to consider the magnitude of the alleged offences and the amounts involved. He also noted that some of the accused’s recent actions raised concerns about his commitment to attend future proceedings.
The Court directed the prosecution to file all relevant disclosures before the next hearing date.
The case has been adjourned to December 2, 2025, for continuation.