By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, May 18, GNA – The Defence in the ongoing trial involving Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), on Tuesday questioned the role of Mr. Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, the first prosecution witness, in the signing of an agreement between adb and the Authority.
Mr. Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, Head of the Commercial Banking Department at adb, came under cross-examination over his signature on a master agreement dated February 20, 2023.
Mr. Gary Nimako Marfo, counsel for Mrs. Oware-Mensah, suggested to the Court that the witness had earlier given a misleading impression that he signed the agreement on behalf of adb together with Mrs. Oware-Mensah.
Mr. Marfo referred the witness to his earlier testimony on January 22, 2026, where he said that he and Mrs. Oware-Mensah signed a master agreement concerning the NSA higher purchase arrangement.
He suggested to the witness that he neither signed the agreement on behalf of adb nor executed the agreement in the capacity he had put before the Court.
The witness, however, maintained that he signed the document and explained that the agreement referred to as the “tripartite agreement” was the same as the master agreement before the Court.
When shown Exhibit B (agreement), dated February 20, 2023, Mr. Sebe-Yeboah admitted that the signature appearing on the top right corner of page three, which represented adb, was not his signature.
He told the Court that his signature appeared on the top left side of the document because he signed as part of the process establishing the agreement and acted as a witness to the transaction.
The witness explained that the wording of the document showed that all persons who appended their signatures did so as witnesses to the agreement.
Mr. Sebe-Yeboah said he never claimed to have signed on behalf of adb but only stated that he was a signatory and participant in the agreement.
The witness identified the officer who signed on behalf of adb as Mr. Agyei Baah, a former Head of Collateral and Documentation at the bank.
Defence counsel pointed out to the Court that portions of the agreement stated that the document was “signed, sealed and delivered for and on behalf of adb in the presence of Mr. Sebe-Yeboah,” arguing that the witness merely witnessed the transaction.
The witness rejected suggestions that he had attempted to mislead the Court and maintained that his testimony was truthful and consistent with the contents of the agreement.
Earlier in the proceedings, disputes arose over the admissibility and clarity of some prosecution documents linked to transfers from the NSA Higher Purchase Account.
The Court admitted some of the documents subject to the prosecution filing clearer and more legible copies.
Mrs. Oware-Mensah is facing five counts of criminal charges filed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
These charges include stealing, willfully causing financial loss, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
The case was adjourned to May 20, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
GNA
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
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Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong