The High Court of Ghana (Criminal Division) in Tamale has adjourned judgment in the ongoing corruption case Republic v. Sumaila Abdul Rahman & 3 Others after indicating that its ruling is not yet ready.
The court informed both prosecutors from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and lawyers for the accused that the judgment, initially scheduled for today, could not be delivered. The case has now been adjourned to May 29, 2026.
The court also declined to hear further submissions from both the defence and prosecution.
The case, which has been before the court for nearly four years, involves four accused persons: Sumaila Abdul-Rahman, former Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority (NDA); Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen, former Deputy CEO in charge of Operations; Patrick Seidu, former Deputy CEO for Finance and Administration; and Andrew Kuundaari, Chief Executive Officer of A&QS Consortium Ltd.
They are facing charges of corruption and related offences linked to procurement activities under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).
The trial stems from investigations by the OSP into alleged irregularities in the award and execution of contracts under the IPEP initiative, a government programme designed to fund infrastructure projects across districts.
During proceedings, the accused persons filed a submission of no case, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence. However, the trial court dismissed the application.
An appeal against that ruling was also unanimously rejected by the Court of Appeal, allowing the case to proceed to the defence stage.
With both prosecution and defence having closed their cases and final arguments submitted, the matter had been set for judgment, making today’s adjournment a significant delay in a case that has drawn considerable public attention.
The court is now expected to deliver its ruling at the next sitting on May 29.
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