Accra: Lawyers for Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, the former Executive Director of the National Service Authority, have informed an Accra High Court that their client has not been served with any document to report to court. Paa Kwesi Kuboadzi, representing the accused, revealed that they were not given notice for the scheduled case.
According to Ghana News Agency, Kuboadzi explained to the court that he was informed about the case only an hour prior, leading to his unprepared appearance. The counsel requested that the prosecution provide adequate notice to ensure proper court appearances. He also highlighted that Mr. Assibey Antwi's reporting schedule requires him to report in Kumasi every Monday, except for the first Monday of the month when he reports in Accra.
Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), acknowledged that while the charge sheet had been filed, they were unaware of the hearing date. She assured the court that a hearing notice would be filed promptly and requested that the accused report in Accra on Monday instead of Kumasi. The DPP further assured that the prosecution would serve Mr. Assibey Antwi with the necessary charges and inform him of the first hearing date.
Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, presiding over the case, ordered the accused to report to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in Accra on October 20, 2025. Mr. Assibey Antwi faces 14 counts, including causing financial loss to the State, stealing, and money laundering, in a case involving over GHS600 million. The allegations include authorizing payments to more than 60,000 non-existent national service personnel, resulting in a loss of GHS500,861,744.02, and misappropriating public funds during his tenure from August 2021 to February 2025.
Mr. Assibey Antwi faces charges 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). He is also accused of stealing various sums totaling several million cedis from the National Service Authority between August 2023 and May 2024. The alleged thefts include significant sums on specific dates, with additional accusations of causing an GHS8.26 million loss to the State through unauthorized transfers.
Prosecutors claim unauthorized withdrawals from the Kumawu Farm Project account amounted to GHS74 million, with funds allegedly not used for their intended purpose. Specific withdrawals listed include GHS55 million on September 30, 2022, GHS15 million on October 20, 2023, and GHS4 million on January 24, 2024. Mr. Assibey Antwi's plea is yet to be taken.
