The defense in the trial of Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), has challenged the legitimacy of transactions originating from an ADB bank account linked to a Higher Purchase Facility for National Service Personnel. The core of the challenge revolves around the authorization process for funds transferred to Blocks of Life Consult Limited, with defense counsel questioning the validity of the bank’s reliance on an “omnibus instruction” and telephone communications.
Background of the Higher Purchase Facility
The case centers on a Higher Purchase Facility established by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) for the National Service Authority (NSA). This facility was designed to support approximately 10,000 National Service Personnel.
An ADB account, described by prosecution witness Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, Head of Commercial Banking at ADB, was set up as a suspense account. This account was specifically created for the administration of the higher purchase facility, distinguishing it from a standard customer-operated current account.
Neither Gifty Oware-Mensah nor Blocks of Life Consult Limited directly operated this suspense account. Instead, transfers were made under the direction of Mrs. Oware-Mensah, who was the Deputy Executive Director of the NSA at the time.
Cross-Examination on Transaction Authorisation
During the cross-examination of Mr. Sebe-Yeboah, defense counsel Gary Nimako Marfo rigorously questioned the procedures followed for authorizing transfers from the NSA Higher Purchase Account to Blocks of Life Consult Limited.
Mr. Sebe-Yeboah maintained that these transfers were duly authorized by Mrs. Oware-Mensah under an omnibus instruction arrangement. He explained that due to the large number of personnel involved, Mrs. Oware-Mensah indicated she would not always be available for individual transfer authorizations.
The witness confirmed that Mrs. Oware-Mensah was neither a Director, shareholder, nor beneficial owner of Blocks of Life Consult Limited, based on documents presented to the court.
The first transfer to Blocks of Life Consult Limited occurred on February 22, 2023, with subsequent transfers following this established arrangement. When pressed for written authorization for the initial transfer, Mr. Sebe-Yeboah referred to the omnibus instruction provided by Mrs. Oware-Mensah.
He stated that the bank maintained communication with Mrs. Oware-Mensah via telephone before effecting transfers, even with the omnibus instruction in place. However, defense counsel challenged this, arguing that no documentary evidence—such as telephone records, emails, or WhatsApp messages—had been produced to substantiate these communications.
Bank’s Reliance on Assurances and Approvals
Mr. Sebe-Yeboah asserted that the initial transfer was made after the bank received partial approval for the facility and assurances that formal transfer requests would follow. He further explained that the bank obtained full approval from its credit committee before proceeding with further disbursements.
The defense also raised questions regarding cash deposits made by bank staff into the account. Mr. Sebe-Yeboah clarified that these deposits were linked to repayments received through the E-Zwich platform under the facility.
According to the witness, E-Zwich transaction rules mandated a portion of funds be withdrawn as cash, which explained the deposits reflected in the account records. He affirmed that all repayments from the NSA were correctly credited to the account and subsequently transferred to the relevant loan accounts as per the facility’s structure.
Credibility of Account Statements
Counsel for the defense suggested that the account statement tendered by the prosecution was merely an internal bank document lacking credibility. Mr. Sebe-Yeboah disagreed, insisting the account was created per the master agreement between ADB and the NSA, forming an integral part of the approved facility arrangements.
He also refuted claims that the bank deliberately withheld loan accounts or the account records of Blocks of Life Consult Limited. Mr. Sebe-Yeboah stated that records pertaining to Blocks of Life Consult Limited had been submitted to investigators, though he could not confirm if they had been formally filed with the court.
Future Proceedings
The case has been adjourned to June 11, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination. The ongoing scrutiny of banking procedures and authorization protocols is likely to continue shaping the narrative of the trial.
What will emerge from the continued cross-examination regarding the bank’s internal policies and the specific documentation supporting the omnibus instruction arrangement remains a key point to watch. The court’s assessment of the bank’s reliance on verbal assurances versus the need for concrete documentary evidence will be critical in determining the trajectory of the case.
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