A senior official of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has told the court that he is unaware of any formal complaint filed by the National Service Authority (NSA) alleging theft of more than GH¢30 million against former Deputy Director Gifty Oware-Mensah.
The disclosure came during proceedings in the ongoing trial involving Oware-Mensah, who faces charges of stealing, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering.
ADB Witness Testifies
The Head of Commercial Banking at ADB, Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, made the admission under cross-examination by lead defence counsel Gary Nimako-Marfo.
Asked whether the National Service Authority had lodged any official complaint regarding the alleged theft of funds connected to the hire purchase facility at the centre of the case, the witness said he was unaware of any such complaint.
Oware-Mensah has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains on bail.
Prosecution’s Case
According to prosecutors, the former NSA Deputy Director caused the Authority to incur financial loss through a loan arrangement involving Blocks of Life Consult, a vendor introduced to provide items to national service personnel under a hire purchase scheme.
The prosecution alleges that the NSA paid GH¢6.95 million in interest on a GH¢31.50 million loan that was improperly authorised, resulting in a financial loss to the state exceeding GH¢31 million.
Witness Investigated by NIB
During the hearing, the court admitted into evidence a caution statement Mr Sebe-Yeboah gave to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in March 2025.
The witness confirmed that he had been investigated by the NIB for alleged abetment of crime, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing and defrauding by false pretence.
However, he maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing and was never charged.
Details of Loan Arrangement
Mr Sebe-Yeboah also outlined details of the financial arrangement between ADB and Blocks of Life Consult.
He told the court that the bank disbursed GH¢148,841 on February 22, 2023, in addition to an initial amount of GH¢193,300 under the facility.
When asked about the bank’s earnings from the transaction, he stated that ADB received a commission of GH¢44,459.
“ADB earned a commission of GH¢44,459, being the 23 per cent commission per the master agreement,” he told the court.
Case Continues
The case forms part of investigations into the wider National Service ghost names scandal, which has attracted significant public attention.
Proceedings are expected to continue on June 17, 2026, as the court hears further evidence relating to the charges against the former NSA official.
