Lawyers for Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, the former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), have told an Accra High Court that their client has not been served with any formal notice or documents directing him to appear before the court.
Counsel for the accused, Mr. Paa Kwesi Kuboadzi, explained that they received no prior communication regarding the day’s proceedings. “I was called about an hour ago to appear in court. That is why I am not properly dressed,” he told the court.
Mr. Kuboadzi, who appeared without the full professional attire required of lawyers, pleaded with the court to ensure that the prosecution gives adequate notice to allow the defence to properly prepare for subsequent appearances.
He further noted that his client’s current reporting schedule requires him to report to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in Kumasi every Monday, except for the first Monday of each month when he reports in Accra.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, who represented the state, confirmed that although the charge sheet had been filed, no specific hearing date had been fixed. She explained that the prosecution was unaware that the case had been listed for the day’s proceedings.
Mrs. Obuobisa assured the court that a hearing notice would be filed promptly and that the prosecution would duly serve the accused with the charges and supporting documents. She also requested that Mr. Assibey Antwi be instructed to report to the NIB office in Accra on Mondays instead of Kumasi.
Presiding Judge, Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, subsequently ordered the accused to report to the NIB in Accra on October 20, 2025.
Mr. Assibey Antwi faces 14 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, and money laundering, involving an estimated GH¢600 million.
According to the prosecution, he allegedly authorised the payment of allowances to over 60,000 non-existent national service personnel, causing a loss of GH¢500.86 million, and misappropriated additional public funds during his tenure between August 2021 and February 2025.
He is charged under sections 179A(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).
The prosecution further alleges that between August 2023 and May 2024, he dishonestly appropriated several million cedis belonging to the NSA, including withdrawals of GH¢3.6 million, GH¢516,000 each on multiple dates, GH¢1.03 million, and GH¢2.06 million.
Additionally, between January 2022 and December 2024, he allegedly caused an extra GH¢8.26 million loss to the state by transferring funds from the NSA’s Control Account to his personal e-zwich account.
The charge sheet also cites unauthorised withdrawals from the Kumawu Farm Project account totalling GH¢74 million, which prosecutors claim were not used for their intended purpose. These included withdrawals of GH¢55 million on September 30, 2022, GH¢15 million on October 20, 2023, and GH¢4 million on January 24, 2024.
Mr. Assibey Antwi’s plea has yet to be taken.
