A High Court in Tamale has convicted six individuals in connection with a major payroll fraud scheme within the Ghana Education Service (GES), following a plea bargain agreement with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The convicted persons—comprising school administrators, payroll officers, and accountants—admitted to facilitating the illegal reactivation and validation of salary payments for a teacher who had long vacated his post. Their actions led to the wrongful disbursement of more than GHS 86,000 in state funds.
According to a statement released by the OSP on Thursday, all the embezzled funds have since been fully recovered. In total, GHS 106,319.64 has been retrieved as restitution and reparation to the state.
The OSP confirmed the convictions came under its plea bargaining framework, which encourages full cooperation from accused persons in exchange for reduced sentences or penalties.
The investigation, which began in late 2023, was a collaborative effort between the OSP and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD).
Among those convicted are:
- Yakubu Tahidu, a former teacher at Balogu M/A Junior High School in Yendi
- Abdulai Abubakari Sadic, Payroll Coordinator, GES, Yendi
- Mohammed Yusif Jay, Headmaster, Balogu M/A Junior High School
- Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, Assistant Chief Accounts Technician, CAGD, Accra
- Osman Issahaku, Headmaster, Balogu M/A Junior High School
The OSP revealed that six additional criminal trials are currently underway in Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi, as authorities widen the net to prosecute more suspects linked to the payroll scandal.
At a press briefing earlier this year, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stressed the seriousness of the charges, which include corruption of and by a public officer.
Source:TheDotNews