Court Rejects Bid to Halt Gifty Oware-Mensah Trial

The High Court in Accra has rejected an application by lawyers for Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), seeking to suspend her criminal trial pending an appeal.

The request followed a directive issued on March 24, 2026, during a case management conference, requiring the defence to submit a list of intended witnesses—part of standard criminal trial procedures that also mandate the prosecution to disclose its evidence.

Oware-Mensah’s legal team, led by Gary Nimako-Marfo, argued that the order violates her constitutional right to the presumption of innocence. They have since appealed the directive at the Court of Appeal.

However, while the appeal is pending, the High Court declined to stay proceedings. A second application for a halt, tied to another appeal on the same matter, was also dismissed.

The defence further sought to have the constitutional issue referred to the Supreme Court, but the trial judge rejected the request. An appeal has been filed against that decision as well, alongside a renewed attempt to suspend the trial.

The court noted procedural issues, including failure to properly serve all parties with relevant documents, and adjourned the case to April 15 to allow for proper service.

The case stems from allegations that Oware-Mensah was involved in a ghost names scandal at the NSA, which reportedly caused the state losses exceeding GH¢38 million.

She was charged on October 22, 2026, with five offences, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, money laundering, and abuse of public office.

Prosecutors allege that she facilitated the creation of about 9,934 fictitious National Service personnel and benefited from the allowances paid to them.

According to Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine, the alleged scheme resulted in significant financial losses to the government.