Gifty Oware-Mensah’s request to refer the case to the Supreme Court is denied by the high court.
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Former National Service Authority (NSA) Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah’s request to delay her prosecution and ask the Supreme Court for interpretation was denied by the Accra High Court, which declared it “lacked merit.”
Oware-Mensah was instructed by Presiding Judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay to provide the names and addresses of her witnesses at the Case Management Conference stage in accordance with the 2018 Practice Direction on Disclosure and Case Management Proceedings.
Oware-Mensah had contended, through her solicitors, Garry Nimako Marfo, that the requirement goes against the presumption of innocence under Sections 11(2) and 15 of the Evidence Act and Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution.
Under Part 5(f) of the Practice Direction, the defence also raised issues with trial scheduling, arguing that it violated her entitlement to sufficient time to prepare her defence.
The application was rejected by the prosecution, which was represented by Director of Public Prosecutions Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa. The prosecution claimed that the Practice Direction is constitutional and helps the accused prepare their defence.
The DPP cited precedence establishing the prosecution’s need to disclose evidence and pointed out that the requirement only arises if the court calls on the accused to enter her defence.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay’s decision on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, said that no legitimate question had emerged that needed to be sent to the Supreme Court.
For this reason, the application was denied.
A Notice of Appeal was submitted on January 20, 2026, according to Oware-Mensah’s attorney, who also verified that a petition for Stay of Proceedings was filed on February 17, 2026, with the prosecution to be served in due course.
After being given GH¢10 million bail, Oware-Mensah is accused of stealing, intentionally inflicting financial loss, abusing his position, and money laundering in relation to the GH¢38 million National Service “ghost names” controversy.
She entered a not guilty plea.
Source: newsthemegh.com
