NSA Scandal: Ex-National Service boss pleads not guilty to financial crimes, granted GH¢800m bail
Osei-Assibey Antwi, the former Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), entered a not guilty plea to all 14 of the state’s financial crime accusations against him, which include stealing, money laundering, and creating financial loss totaling more than GHC1.5 billion.
Judge Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, who is overseeing the case, granted the accused GHC800 million bail on Thursday. As security, six sureties must pledge landed property worth the bail amount.
The court mandated that Mr. Osei-Assibey be placed on the Ghana Immigration Service stop list and have all of his passports deposited at the Court Registry as part of the bail requirements until the case was resolved. On the first and third Wednesdays of each month, he is also expected to report to the Police Headquarters.
It is alleged that Mr. Osei-Assibey, the primary spending officer and signatory to the NSA’s accounts, approved payments to fictitious names, causing the state to suffer large financial losses. The specific amounts of the accusations, which range from GHC 516,000 to GHC 55 million, include counts of stealing and causing financial loss.
Osei Owusu, the accused’s attorney, maintained his innocence and contended that his client had been unfairly maligned in the media. He emphasized that he had completely cooperated with authorities and posed no flight danger.
The accused was described by the defense as a well-respected public servant who had served the Republic in a variety of roles in their bail request to the court.
While not opposing the bail motion, Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai cautioned that the accused’s recent behavior created doubts about his intent to appear in court and requested the court to take into account the seriousness of the offenses and the substantial sums involved.
The case is set to resume on December 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., after the court ordered the prosecution to file all disclosures.
