OSP Prosecutes Six Individuals in Government Salary Scheme
The Commercial Court in Tamale has granted bail to five of six individuals charged in a significant payroll fraud case, according to a statement released by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The case represents one of the most prominent anti-corruption prosecutions in Northern Ghana this year.
Strict Bail Conditions Imposed as Trial Advances
The court established stringent conditions for the five accused who appeared before the judge. These conditions include:
- Mandatory surrender of passports
- Submission of Ghana Cards for those without passports
- Provision of two sureties, one being a senior public servant
- Each surety must be justified before the court
The sixth defendant was not present during the proceedings due to late service of court documents, according to judicial sources.
Multiple Corruption Charges Filed Against Accused
Yakubu Tahidu, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, Sammy Suuk, Mohammed Yusif Jay, Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, and Osman Issahaku have collectively been charged with 17 counts related to corruption and financial misconduct. According to the OSP, all defendants present in court entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, established under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), has intensified efforts to prosecute corruption cases throughout Ghana, with particular emphasis on payroll fraud which costs the government millions of cedis annually.
Double Salary Allegations at Center of Prosecution
The case originated from a National Security referral and centers around allegations that Yakubu Tahidu continued receiving teacher salaries while simultaneously employed by another government agency. This practice of “double salary” has been identified as a significant drain on public resources by the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.
The remaining defendants are alleged to have either actively facilitated these fraudulent payments or failed to implement controls that would have prevented them, despite their professional responsibilities.
Broader Implications for Public Financial Management
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in Ghana’s public sector payroll management system, which has been plagued by various forms of fraud including:
- Ghost workers
- Double salary payments
- Unauthorized allowances
- Delayed removal of retired personnel
Financial governance experts at the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition estimate that these forms of payroll fraud collectively cost the country approximately 3% of its annual budget.
Next Court Date Set as OSP Builds Case
The trial has been adjourned to April 1, 2025, when all six defendants are expected to be present. Legal analysts from the Center for Public Accountability suggest the prosecution will likely present documentary evidence from multiple government payroll systems to establish their case.
“Payroll fraud cases typically involve extensive paper trails and multiple witnesses from various departments,” explains Dr. Kwame Owusu, a public financial management expert. “The OSP appears to be building a comprehensive case against these individuals.”
Preventing Payroll Fraud: Best Practices for Organizations
Organizations concerned about similar vulnerabilities in their payroll systems can implement several protective measures:
- Regular payroll audits and verification exercises
- Biometric verification of employees
- Centralized employee databases with regular updates
- Whistleblower protection systems
- Strengthened internal controls with multiple approval layers
Stay Informed on Anti-Corruption Efforts
For organizations and citizens interested in Ghana’s anti-corruption landscape, staying informed about precedent-setting cases like this one is essential.
Call to Action:
Subscribe to our Anti-Corruption Compliance Newsletter for bi-weekly updates on major corruption cases, regulatory changes, and best practices for organizational integrity. Our next special report will focus on payroll fraud prevention strategies drawing lessons from recent prosecutions.