OSP Cracks Down on Six Government Officials Over Alleged Payroll Fraud and Corruption
Tamale, Ghana - 17 Feb, 2025 - Six government officials in Ghana are facing trial for their alleged involvement in a payroll fraud scheme that has caused significant financial loss to the state.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed 17 counts of corruption against the accused, who include former and current employees of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD).
The accused are Yakubu Tahidu, a former teacher; Abdulai Abukari Sadic, the Yendi Municipal IPPD Coordinator; Sammy Suuk, a Schools Improvement Support Officer; Mohammed Yusif Jay, a former headteacher; Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, an Assistant Chief Accounts Technician; and Osman Issahaku, the current headteacher of Balogu M/A JHS.
According to the OSP, the accused allegedly manipulated the payroll system to include non-existent employees and divert public funds as salary payments to ghost workers. The case was referred to the OSP by National Security, which alleged that Yakubu Tahidu continued to receive salaries despite no longer being a teacher.
The OSP has emphasized that the prosecution marks a significant step in tackling payroll fraud in Ghana's public sector. The accused are expected to appear before the High Court in Tamale in the coming days.
Source: Lead NewsOnline
