High Court grants Gifty Oware-Mensah GHC10m bail, places her on stop list

The Accra High Court has granted bail to Gifty Oware Mensah, the former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority, with a bail bond of GHC10 million and three sureties.

 

Gifty Oware Mensah pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including theft, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, for allegedly generating over 9,000 ghost names from the NSA Central Management system, resulting in a loss of over GHC38 million.

In court on Wednesday, October 22, lawyers of Gifty Oware Mensah, led by Nana Banyin Ackon, prayed for bail for the former deputy director, citing that she is not a flight risk.

He told the court that Gifty is the mother of a 3-year-old child and has cooperated with investigators since reporting herself to the National Investigations Bureau.

Ackon further noted that the former NSA Deputy Director is undergoing medical treatment, a fact he added had been communicated to the prosecution.

The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa, did not oppose the bail application, but it should be one that would compel the accused to appear when called upon.

“From the charges and the facts that we read out, the accused person, through her activity, has caused a total loss of GHC38.4 million to the republic.

All we are saying is that the bail amount should be such that the court will secure the regular attendance of the accused person in court throughout the duration of the trial.

I also wish to add that the court directs that the passport of the accused person be deposited with the registrar of the court and only released with the express approval of this court.”

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, after hearing from both counsel, granted Gifty Oware Mensah bail of GHC10 million with three sureties, two to be justified with landed properties. The sureties are also to deposit their Ghana cards and residential addresses with the registrar of the court.

The court additionally ordered her to report to police investigators on the first Tuesday and Thursday of every month. She is to deposit her passport with the registrar, and her name is to be placed on the stop list at all entry points in the country.

The case has been adjourned to November 25.