Tamale, Ghana – February 14, 2025
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed charges against six individuals at the High Court in Tamale for their alleged involvement in payroll fraud and corruption, leading to financial loss to the state.
The accused—Yakubu Tahidu, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, Sammy Suuk, Mohammed Yusif Jay, Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, and Osman Issahaku—face 17 counts of corruption-related offences.
Details of the Case
The case originated from a National Security referral, which uncovered fraudulent salary payments to Yakubu Tahidu, a former teacher at Balogu M/A JHS, who continued receiving salaries despite leaving his post to work at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).
The other accused persons are alleged to have either facilitated or failed to prevent these irregular payments:
- Abdulai Abukari Sadic (Yendi Municipal IPPD Coordinator) and Sammy Suuk (Schools Improvement Support Officer) allegedly validated Tahidu’s salary payments.
- Mohammed Yusif Jay, former headteacher of Balogu M/A JHS, is accused of authorizing the payments even after being transferred.
- Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, an Assistant Chief Accounts Technician at the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, is alleged to have helped process the fraudulent payments.
- Osman Issahaku, the current headteacher of Balogu M/A JHS, is accused of continuing the validation process despite knowing its irregularity.
Legal Proceedings and Anti-Corruption Efforts
The OSP, under its mandate to protect public funds and uphold accountability, has emphasized its commitment to prosecuting financial crimes, particularly those affecting the public payroll system.
More updates on the trial proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.
