Court Slashes Osei Assibey Antwi’s Bail to GH¢120m

The High Court has granted a further variation of the bail conditions for the former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, reducing the amount from GH¢630 million to GH¢120 million with two sureties.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, December 11, follows an application filed by Mr. Antwi’s legal team. The former NSA boss is facing charges including stealing, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state during his tenure at the Authority.

Mr. Antwi was initially granted bail in the sum of GH¢800 million, which was later reviewed to GH¢630 million before Thursday’s significant downward adjustment. Under the new terms, the two sureties must each justify their bond with landed property valued at GH¢80 million.

The court, however, maintained all existing restrictions—including the seizure of his passport and his placement on a no-flight list—pending the conclusion of the trial.

State prosecutors opposed the request for a variation, arguing that the gravity of the offences—particularly those carrying potential custodial sentences of up to 25 years—warranted the original, higher bail sum.

Defence lawyers countered that the earlier bail amounts were unrealistic and punitive, effectively constituting a denial of their client’s right to bail.

The substantive criminal case continues before the High Court.