By Daniel Bampoe
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has firmly rejected a partial refund offer from an accused individual in the ongoing National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost names scandal, which has so far implicated multiple officials in the misappropriation of approximately GH¢38 million of public funds.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities and cooperating financial institutions—referred to as “free data banks”—to recover diverted funds.
Sources indicate that the accused had offered to refund GH¢22 million, just over half of the alleged amount, in exchange for avoiding full criminal prosecution.
Speaking at a press briefing held under the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, Dr. Ayine emphasized that such an arrangement is unacceptable and cannot replace full prosecution under Ghanaian law.
“Yes, offers keep being made, but sometimes the offers are conditional on people bringing their money and walking away, and I say no,” Dr. Ayine said.
He clarified that, while Ghanaian law permits plea bargaining, the prosecution cannot condone deals that undermine criminal accountability.
“I am the Attorney General. I am the prosecutor. I am not defence counsel,” he said, stressing his responsibility to prove the offences beyond reasonable doubt in court.
Dr. Ayine further stated that accused persons may voluntarily seek plea bargains, make restitution, or plead to lesser charges, but these must originate from the accused or their legal representatives—not the prosecution.
He warned that repayment alone cannot absolve responsibility in cases involving the loss of public funds.
NSS ‘Ghost Names’ Scandal
The NSS scandal emerged in late 2024 following investigations that uncovered fictitious personnel on the National Service payroll.
These “ghost names” were used to siphon public funds meant for legitimate service personnel. Investigations have been conducted by the Auditor-General, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), and the Attorney-General’s office.
Initial assessments estimated the total loss at GH¢548 million, later revised to GH¢653 million.
However, a forensic audit released in October 2025 revealed that the actual loss had ballooned to GH¢2.2 billion, making it one of the largest payroll-related corruption cases in the public sector history.
In the current matter, the GH¢38 million represents a segment of the total misappropriated funds, linked to specific officials and entities.
Dr. Ayine confirmed that cooperating banks and financial institutions, referred to as “free data banks,” have assisted investigators in tracing and recovering some of the diverted funds, providing crucial evidence for ongoing prosecutions.
Legal And Institutional Implications
The Attorney-General’s rejection of the partial repayment offer comes amid public scrutiny over high-profile financial crime prosecutions in Ghana.
Legal experts have observed that while plea bargains can expedite court processes and facilitate restitution, they cannot replace criminal prosecution, especially in cases involving significant public losses.
Dr. Ayine’s office has also highlighted past inconsistencies in financial crime enforcement. In previous cases, such as the Bank of Ghana financial sector clean-up, some prosecutions were discontinued or resolved through settlements that did not result in convictions.
By rejecting the partial refund, Dr. Dominic Ayine is signaling a stricter enforcement approach for high-value corruption cases, emphasizing accountability and transparency.
Next Steps
The accused will now face full criminal proceedings in court.
Dr. Ayine assured Ghanaians that restitution alone will not shield offenders from prosecution.
The cooperation of banks and other institutions in recovering misappropriated funds is expected to strengthen the evidence base, enabling prosecutors to secure convictions against those implicated.
The Attorney-General’s firm stance sends a clear message: partial repayment or negotiated settlements cannot substitute for legal accountability in cases involving significant misappropriation of public resources.
The National Service Authority has struggled with payroll fraud and weak internal controls for several years, despite previous reforms including digitized payroll systems and biometric verification.
