A letter allegedly written by former National Service Scheme (NSS) Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, directing the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to transfer funds to her private company, has been admitted into evidence in the ongoing National Service ghost names scandal trial.
The document was formally identified in court on Monday by Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, Head of Commercial Banking at ADB, during his evidence-in-chief.
Mrs Oware-Mensah is facing charges in connection with the alleged loss of GH¢38 million. She has pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing, two counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, and money laundering. She has been granted bail.
During proceedings on Monday, May 18, 2026, Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh tendered several documents, including the controversial letter referenced in paragraph 20 of the witness statement.
The witness described it as: “Letter from NSS transfer of funds with respect to higher purchase signed by deputy executive director Gifty Oware-Mensah.”
Lead counsel for the accused, Gary Nimako Marfo, strongly objected to the admission of the letter, describing it as illegible, undated, and not an original copy.
“The document the witness intends to tender is not legible, undated, not the original copy and, in fact, the supposed letterhead which he claims was authored by the accused person is so faint that it is not readable,” Mr Nimako Marfo argued.
Presiding Judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, acknowledged the concerns about the document’s quality but admitted it into evidence with a condition.
“I have perused the said document, and I do agree with counsel for the accused person that the writings on the said letter appear to be very faint,” the judge stated. She directed the prosecution to file a clearer copy of the document.
The court also admitted a pen drive containing several exhibits, including a bank consumer flyer, an Excel file with details of 5,890 national service personnel, a letter titled “NSS Facility Repayment Advice,” and a master agreement between ADB and the National Service Authority dated March 5, 2024.
Another letter allegedly authored by Mrs Oware-Mensah directing funds into an account linked to Blocks of Life Consult — a company said to be associated with the accused — also faced objections from the defence. Counsel argued it bore no clear indication it originated from the NSS.
After examining both photocopies and originals presented in court, Justice Kocuvie-Tay again ruled that the issues mainly bordered on legibility and ordered the prosecution to provide clearer copies.