The Attorney-General has called its first witness in the prosecution of former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, over an alleged GH¢38 million financial loss to the state.
The prosecution’s first witness (PW1), Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay.
PW1 told the court that he knows the accused person and confirmed that he had caused a witness statement to be prepared for him by the Republic, which he subsequently adopted as his evidence-in-chief.
Documents attached to the statement are yet to be admitted.
According to the witness, his unit received a letter dated October 24, 2022 titled “Acquisition of Household Items” from the National Service Authority, signed by Gifty Oware-Mensah, in her capacity as Executive Director.
He explained that the letter had an attachment listing purchasable household items grouped into three options, described as “bouquets” from which National Service Personnel were to select.
The letter was admitted into evidence without objection as Exhibit A, while its attachment was admitted as Exhibit A1.
PW1 further testified that following approval by the credit committee, a Master Agreement dated February 20, 2023, was executed between the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and the NSA. He stated that the accused person signed the agreement on behalf of the NSA, while he signed for ADB. The agreement was admitted without objection as Exhibit B.
Additionally, a copy of the statement of account of the National Service Scheme covering January 2017 to March 1, 2025 was tendered and admitted as Exhibit C.
Earlier in the proceedings, counsel for the accused, Gary Nimako Marfo, raised a constitutional objection to a previous court order, directing the accused person to file the names and addresses of witnesses she intends to call.
Counsel argued that the order, grounded in the 2015 Practice Direction on Disclosures and Case Management in Criminal Proceedings, contravenes Articles 19(2)(c) and 19(10) of the 1992 Constitution, which protect the presumption of innocence and the right against compulsion to testify.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay noted the direction of the submissions and advised defence counsel to formally put the court on notice to enable it deliver a ruling on the constitutional issue. The court subsequently ordered that the trial should proceed.
Gifty Oware-Mensah has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including willfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering and using public office for profit.
The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2026 at 12 noon for continuation.
Source: Thechronicle
Discussion about this post