Ghc189m Vanishes, Ex-Boss Implicated.
Just when you thought the dust was settling on the National Service Secretariat (NSS) ghost names scandal, the Attorney General (AG), Dr. Dominic Ayine, has dropped a bombshell, revealing a deeper cesspool of corruption that has forced him to hit the brakes on prosecutions.
What was initially set for court last week has now been stalled as fresh, damning evidence emerges, painting a far grimmer picture than previously imagined.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency on Monday, July 28, a visibly concerned Dr. Ayine disclosed that investigators have intercepted an astonishing GHC189 million transfer, with a staggering GHC80 million of that sum now untraceable.
But the shockwaves don’t stop there.
“The NSS scandal case was due to be filed last week as promised, when we stumbled upon evidence of malfeasance involving a Bank of Ghana account into which GH¢189 million had been deposited,” Dr. Ayine stated.
“Out of this amount, GH¢80 million cannot be traced. We found two cheques bearing the name and account details of the former Director-General, Mr. Osei Assibey, which were used to withdraw nearly GH¢2 million from the said account.”
Yes, you read that right.
Two cheques, bearing the name and account details of former Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi, were used to siphon nearly GHC2 million from this very account at the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
This revelation has sent shockwaves through the system, prompting the AG’s office to halt all immediate filings as they await crucial evidence from the BoG, the Ministry of Finance, and the Controller and Accountant General.
Plea Bargains and Inside Deals: Suspects Sing
In a stunning turn of events, Dr. Ayine also announced that eight suspects entangled in the payroll scandal have approached his office for plea negotiations.
Among them are three former officers of the National Service Authority (NSA), now seemingly ready to spill the beans.
“I am happy to announce that eight suspects in this investigation have approached my office for plea negotiation, including three former officers of the National Service Authority,” Dr. Ayine revealed. He added, “Some officials have offered to testify against their colleagues, and some vendors and service providers are willing to come clean and testify as prosecution witnesses.”
These aren’t just whispers; the AG emphasized that these individuals are offering direct, first-hand accounts of the malfeasance, not mere hearsay.
This could be a game-changer, potentially unravelling the entire network of corruption.
No Free Pass: Return the Loot
While plea bargains offer a potential path to lighter sentences, Dr. Ayine was unequivocal about one non-negotiable condition: the full return of all misappropriated funds.
“As a precondition, I tell them: you bring back the money that we have calculated that you took. You serve as a prosecution witness. That is the approach we are using,” he asserted, laying down the law.
The AG commended the BoG, led by Governor Dr. Johnson Asiamah, for their cooperation, noting that the bank is prepared to submit all necessary statements for the ongoing investigation.
Dr. Ayine concluded by reaffirming the Mahama government’s unwavering commitment to accountability, hinting at a bipartisan consensus to recover every single cedi stolen from the public purse. The NPP, he believes, would also welcome a full recovery of the funds.
The NSS scandal just got a whole lot deeper, and it seems the real rot is only now being uncovered. Stay tuned, as The New Republic will continue to bring you the latest developments in this unfolding saga.