Six Charged in Payroll Fraud Scandal by Office of the Special Prosecutor

In a major crackdown on corruption, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged six individuals involved in a payroll fraud case that has shaken Ghana’s public sector.

The charges, which include 17 counts of corruption, were presented before the High Court in Tamale, Northern Region, highlighting significant financial losses to the state.

The case was initially brought to light through a referral by National Security, revealing a scheme in which Yakubu Tahidu, a former teacher at Balogu M/A Junior High School (JHS), continued to receive salaries after he left his teaching position to join the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).

The fraudulent payments were allegedly facilitated by several individuals, leading to the charges brought against five co-conspirators.

Among the accused, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, who served as the Yendi Municipal Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD) Coordinator, and Sammy Suuk, the Schools Improvement Support Officer, are accused of playing pivotal roles in processing the salary validations for Tahidu.

Mohammed Yusif Jay, the former headteacher of Balogu M/A JHS, is also named in the charges for improperly validating salary payments after his reassignment.

Other individuals implicated in the fraud include Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, an Assistant Chief Accounts Technician, who is alleged to have assisted in processing the illicit payments, and Osman Issahaku, the current headteacher at Balogu M/A JHS, accused of continuing to validate the irregular payments despite knowing they were fraudulent.

The case has garnered significant attention, drawing attention to the ongoing challenges within Ghana’s public financial systems.

Experts have pointed to this case as a stark reminder of the need for stronger accountability and oversight mechanisms to safeguard state resources from corruption.

As the investigation proceeds, there are high expectations for the OSP to demonstrate its commitment to tackling corruption head-on and restoring public trust in government institutions.

This case is seen as a crucial opportunity to show that the OSP is serious about rooting out fraudulent practices in the public sector.

With public confidence in the integrity of state institutions at stake, the outcome of this case will be closely watched by policymakers, citizens, and all those invested in seeing a transparent and accountable governance system.