Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has disclosed that the delay in filing charges in the National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost names scandal is due to the emergence of new evidence during ongoing investigations.
Speaking to the media on Monday, July 28, 2025, Dr. Ayine explained that his office was prepared to proceed with the prosecution last week, but a major development forced them to pause. According to him, investigators uncovered a suspicious Bank of Ghana account linked to the scandal, into which GHC189 million had been transferred.
He revealed that GHC80 million of this amount is currently unaccounted for, raising serious concerns. Notably, two cheques bearing the name and bank details of former NSS Director-General, Osei Assibey Antwi, were found and had been used to withdraw nearly GHC2 million from the account.
“The case was ready to be filed last week as scheduled when we stumbled upon new evidence involving an account at the Bank of Ghana with GH¢189 million. Of this, GH¢80 million cannot be traced,” Dr. Ayine stated.
He added, “We discovered two cheques used to withdraw almost GHC2 million from the account. These cheques were in the name of the former NSS Director-General.”
Due to the gravity of the newly uncovered details, the A-G’s office has temporarily suspended the filing of charges, pending the submission of supporting documents and data from key institutions such as the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.
Dr. Ayine further disclosed that at least eight suspects, including three former officials of the NSS, have approached his office seeking plea bargains. Some have expressed willingness to testify against their accomplices, including vendors and service providers, potentially strengthening the prosecution’s case.
He also confirmed the Bank of Ghana’s full cooperation in the matter. “As I speak, the BoG has assured me that they will deliver the full bank statement this morning to assist with the investigation,” he said.
The scandal, which involves fraudulent enlistment of ghost names on the NSS payroll, has sparked widespread public outrage, with many demanding swift justice and accountability.
Former Forestry Commission official Charles Owusu has lauded former President John Mahama for demonstrating humility… Read More
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has attributed the recent decline in… Read More
The National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has… Read More
The National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah on Friday,… Read More
In a decisive move, operatives of the National Anti Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) embarked… Read More
Nana Oppong Kyekyeku Ababio, the Dormaa Gyasa Krontihene, has raised concern over the persistently high… Read More