Eight suspects implicated in the unfolding National Service Authority (NSA) financial scandal have approached the Attorney-General’s (AG) Department to enter into plea bargaining arrangements, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akurutinga Ayine, has revealed.
The suspects, including three former senior officers of the NSA, are seeking to negotiate reduced charges or sentencing in exchange for their cooperation with prosecutors.
Some have even offered to testify against their colleagues and implicated vendors, as state investigators dig deeper into what is shaping up to be one of the country’s most significant financial malfeasance cases in recent years.
Dr. Ayine made the disclosure during the Government Accountability Series press conference at the Jubilee House in Accra on Friday.
New revelations trigger delay in prosecution
According to the Attorney-General, charges were set to be filed last week when fresh evidence emerged, implicating several individuals in the suspected diversion of public funds through an account at the Bank of Ghana.
“We discovered an amount of GH₵189 million had been transferred into a National Service Authority account at the Bank of Ghana,” Dr. Ayine said. “Out of this, GH₵80 million remains unaccounted for.”
Crucially, investigators found two cheques drawn on the account in the name of the former NSA Director-General, Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, which were used to withdraw nearly GH₵2 million.
“We have therefore halted the filing of charges so as to await the receipt of further evidence from the relevant state agencies, including the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance, and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department,” Dr. Ayine added.
What is a plea bargain?
A plea bargain, or plea deal, is a legal mechanism whereby a defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to some charges in exchange for concessions from the prosecution.
These often include reduced charges, dropped counts, or lighter sentencing recommendations. Plea bargaining is widely used to expedite criminal cases and reduce the burden on courts.
Dr. Ayine said his office has been formally approached by at least eight individuals seeking such deals.
“We are currently evaluating these requests on a case-by-case basis,” he noted.
“Some of these individuals are offering substantial cooperation, including inside information that could significantly strengthen the prosecution’s case.”
Some to turn state witnesses
Beyond seeking leniency, some of the accused are offering to turn state witnesses, according to the Attorney-General.
These include former NSA officials as well as vendors and service providers who were allegedly involved in fraudulent transactions.
“We view this development positively. It means that there is a willingness from within the system to expose the full extent of the wrongdoing,” Dr. Ayine said.
Wider anti-corruption drive underway
The NSA probe is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign by the government, dubbed Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL).
The initiative seeks to trace and retrieve misappropriated public funds from various state institutions.
Dr. Ayine said he expects to receive a detailed report in the coming weeks from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) covering investigations into several high-profile cases, including the controversial Mathematical Sets procurement, the All-Africa Games budget scandal, and the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP).
“These dockets are being finalised for my review. Once the investigative reports are complete, we will proceed with filing charges and ensuring justice is served,” he assured.
Public interest and political pressure
The NSA scandal has gripped national attention since early July when preliminary audit reports revealed suspicious transactions and unaccounted funds linked to the Authority’s operations.
Civil society organisations and the political opposition have called for swift prosecutions and stronger institutional accountability.
With over GH₵80 million still missing, and a growing list of individuals implicated, the public is closely watching how the Attorney-General’s office and investigative bodies handle what many see as a test case for the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
The next few weeks are expected to be crucial, as prosecutors assess the plea deals, finalise investigations, and prepare to lay formal charges that could see high-profile officials and their collaborators face the full force of the law.
