Accra: A letter, purportedly authored by former National Service Scheme Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, has been admitted as evidence in the ongoing National Service scandal trial. The letter allegedly instructed the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to transfer funds to her private company. This development unfolded in the Accra court where the trial is being held.
According to Ghana Web, the Head of the Commercial Banking Department at ADB, Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, identified several documents before the court as part of his testimony. Oware-Mensah faces charges related to allegedly causing a financial loss of GHS38 million in connection with the National Service Ghost names scandal. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing, willfully causing financial loss, using public office for profit, and money laundering, and was granted bail.
On May 18, 2028, during his testimony, Sebe-Yeboah, led by Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh, presented documents to support the prosecution's case. Prempeh referenced a document in the witness's statement, which was identified as a letter signed by Oware-Mensah. Despite objections from the defense regarding the letter's legibility, date, and originality, presiding judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay admitted it, contingent on the prosecution providing a clearer copy.
The prosecution also submitted a pendrive containing additional documents, including a bank consumer flyer, an Excel file of national service personnel, and a master agreement between ADB and the National Service Authority. A letter allegedly directing funds to Oware-Mensah's private account was also identified, though the defense contested its authenticity, claiming it lacked any indication of originating from the National Service Secretariat.
The court has ordered the prosecution to furnish clearer copies of the contested documents. The witness statement and exhibits were adopted as Sebe-Yeboah's evidence-in-chief, with the case adjourned to May 20, 2026, for cross-examination.