The Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority NSA, Gifty Oware Mensah, seeking to pause her ongoing criminal trial and refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court.
The application, which challenged aspects of disclosure and case management procedures, was struck out by the presiding judge, Audrey Kocuvie Tay, who ruled that it lacked merit.
The court subsequently directed the accused to comply fully with existing orders as the trial continues.
Lawyers for Mrs Oware Mensah had argued that certain provisions in the Practice Direction on Disclosure and Case Management Proceedings, as well as sections of the 1992 Constitution, required interpretation by the Supreme Court before the case could proceed.
They had therefore asked the High Court to halt proceedings and seek guidance from the apex court.
The request followed an earlier directive from the court instructing the former NSA official to file a list of her intended witnesses, including their names, as part of the Case Management Conference.
The defence contended that the order raised constitutional concerns, a position the court ultimately rejected.
In dismissing the application, the judge made it clear that the trial would move forward without delay.
Mrs Oware Mensah is standing trial over her alleged role in the National Service ghost names scandal, a case that has drawn significant public attention due to its scale and implications for public accountability.
Prosecutors say the alleged scheme resulted in a financial loss of about GH¢38 million to the state.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include one count of stealing, two counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic, one count of using public office for profit, and one count of money laundering.
The former NSA deputy director is currently on bail in the sum of GH¢10 million. The case has been adjourned to February 18 for continuation.
