Ex–NSA boss pleads not guilty to GH¢1.5bn charges; gets GH¢800m bail

Former National Service Authority Director-General Osei-Assibey Antwi has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts, including causing financial loss, stealing, and money laundering exceeding GH¢1.5 billion.

Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie granted GH¢800 million bail with six sureties, each backed by landed property matching the bail value. Mr Osei-Assibey must deposit all passports, is placed on a Ghana Immigration stop list, and must report to Police Headquarters on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.

Prosecutors say the former principal spending officer authorised payments to ghost names, triggering heavy losses. The charge sheet spans alleged sums from GH¢516,000 to GH¢55 million per count.

Defence counsel Osei Owusu said his client has been unfairly vilified, is co-operating, and is not a flight risk. Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai did not oppose bail but flagged the gravity of the amounts and urged strict conditions.

The court directed the filing of disclosures. The case returns on 2 December 2025 at 09:00.