Osei Assibey may spend christmas in custody – NPP’s Paul Yandoh

Ashanti Regional NPP Executive, Paul Yandoh, has said that former National Service Authority (NSA) Executive Director, Osei Assibey Antwi, may remain in custody throughout the Christmas period.

This, he says, is due to the severity of the charges brought against him.

Speaking in an interview on Ezra Adekyee, Yandoh suggested that the stringent bail conditions, combined with the gravity of the allegations, make it likely that the former NSA boss will not secure his release anytime soon.

“The allegations against him are grave. Considering the hefty bail conditions, I feel he will spend Christmas in custody,” he said.

Osei Assibey is facing 14 criminal charges, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, and money laundering, all tied to an alleged GH¢600 million scandal at the National Service Scheme.

According to court filings before the High Court in Accra, prosecutors accuse the former Executive Director of authorising payments to more than 60,000 non-existent national service personnel between August 2021 and February 2025. They also allege that he misappropriated millions of cedis during his tenure.

He has been charged under sections 179A(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as well as section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).
Prosecutors estimate the financial loss at GH¢500,861,744.02, arising from payments to “ghost” personnel and alleged personal appropriation of state funds between August 2023 and May 2024.

Responding to questions about whether the NPP would visit Osei Assibey in custody—similar to visits made to Ashanti Regional Chairman Wontumi during his past legal troubles—Yandoh said such gestures often depend on personal relationships.

“It depends on the closeness of the relationship. But regardless, we would ensure we show up to express support for him,” he noted.

The case continues to attract public and political attention due to its scale and the high-profile nature of the accused.