Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that six government officials will be prosecuted for their involvement in a payroll fraud scheme. Apexnewsgh reports
The scheme, which siphoned funds through fake salary payments, has led to charges of corruption of a public officer and corruption by a public officer against the accused.
The six officials, who served in various capacities within the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), include:
Yakubu Tahidu: Former teacher, Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi
Abdulai Abubakari Sadic: Integrated Personnel Payroll Database Coordinator, GES, Yendi
Sammy Suuk: Schools Improvement Support Officer, Yendi North Circuit
Mohammed Yusif Jay: Headmaster, Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi
Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres: Assistant Chief Accounts Technician, CAGD, Accra
Osman Issahaku: Headmaster, Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi
The investigation, which began in late 2023, was a joint effort between the OSP and the CAGD. It aimed to identify and remove ghost names, recover wrongful payments, and prosecute those responsible for manipulating government payroll.
According to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, the trial will set a precedent in the fight against payroll fraud in Ghana’s public sector. He also assured that more prosecutions would follow as investigations expand nationwide.
The accused will be arraigned before the High Court in Tamale in the coming days.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
