Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has shed light on the delay in filing charges in the ongoing National Service Authority (NSA) scandal, attributing it to the discovery of fresh financial evidence.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Monday, July 28, Dr. Ayine revealed that the much-anticipated legal action was postponed after investigators uncovered new details involving a Bank of Ghana (BoG) account.
“The NSA scandal case was due to be filed last week as promised when we stumbled upon evidence of malfeasance involving an account at the BoG, to which GH¢189 million had been transferred,” he explained.
According to him, GH¢80 million out of the GH¢189 million remains unaccounted for.
He added that two suspicious cheques bearing the name and account details of former Director-General, Mr. Osei Asigbey, were also found. These cheques, he noted, were allegedly used to withdraw nearly GH¢2 million.
Given the gravity of the discoveries, Dr. Ayine said his office decided to delay the filing of charges until all relevant evidence from state institutions had been secured.
“We have therefore halted the filing of charges so as to await the receipt of the evidence from the relevant state agencies, including the BoG, the Ministry of Finance, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the Bank of Ghana had pledged its full cooperation and was preparing to submit the requested documentation.
“As I speak, the BoG signalled to me that this morning, they are going to deliver the entire bank statement for my attention,” Dr. Ayine confirmed.
He also revealed that eight individuals implicated in the scandal, including three former officers of the NSA, had approached his office to negotiate plea bargains.
“I am, however, happy to announce that at least eight suspects in this investigation have approached my office for plea negotiation, including three former officers of the National Service Authority,” he said.
Dr. Ayine assured the public that no one found culpable would escape accountability as investigations continue.
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