Story: News Desk
The High Court has varied the bail of Osei Assibey Antwi, former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), lowering the amount from GH¢800 million to GH¢623 million while maintaining all other conditions.
The variation followed arguments by Antwi’s lawyers that the initial GH¢800 million bail was unworkable. They noted that compliance would have required pledging dozens of high-value properties in Accra or over a thousand houses in Kumasi, making the terms “impossible to meet”. They also emphasised that bail’s main purpose—preventing flight risk—was already addressed: “passports surrendered and him placed on a no-flight list.”
The prosecution, represented by Dufie Prempeh of the Attorney-General’s office, opposed the variation, arguing the original conditions were reasonable and necessary to keep Antwi available for trial.
In delivering its ruling, the court recognised the size of the alleged financial loss involved and accepted that GH¢623 million was a more realistic figure. All other conditions remain in force, including sureties and property pledges.
This development follows the recent bail of Antwi’s deputy, Gifty Oware Mensah, who was released after meeting a GH¢10 million bail condition.
Antwi is standing trial for charges including stealing, money-laundering, and causing financial loss to the state involving GH¢1.4 billion.
