No directors, no signatories: Key witness tells court Gifty Oware-Mensah not linked to Blocks of Life Consult

The criminal trial of former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority , Gifty Oware-Mensah, took a significant turn on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, when the first prosecution witness told the High Court that neither the accused nor her husband appears as a director, shareholder, beneficial owner, or authorised signatory of Blocks of Life Consult Limited. The company is at the centre of the prosecution's case against Oware-Mensah, who is facing multiple charges including wilfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, and using public office for profit.

The witness, Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, Head of Commercial Banking at the Agricultural Development Bank , was taken through account opening documents and banking records relating to Blocks of Life Consult Limited. The company opened an account with ADB on February 10, 2023. According to the prosecution, Oware-Mensah generated approximately 9,934 non-existent National Service personnel and unlawfully profited from the monthly allowances disbursed under those ghost names. Blocks of Life Consult was introduced as a vendor that was to deliver items on hire purchase to National Service personnel. Some of the items included beds, television sets, tabletop fridges, and mattresses.

During cross-examination by defence counsel led by Gary Nimako Marfo Esq., the prosecution witness was asked to confirm whether the accused person is named as a director, shareholder, or beneficial owner on the Blocks of Life Consult Ltd account with ADB. The ADB Commercial Banking Manager responded in the negative. "On the face of this document, No."

The defence then asked the witness to identify the directors listed in the account opening documents. The prosecution witness responded, "From what I am reading on page 8, I can name them as Antwi Charles Junior, Mensah Emmanuel, and Annan George."

The witness further confirmed that the mandate form submitted to ADB identified only two authorised signatories on the account: Obeng Antwi Charles Junior, described as a director, and Emmanuel Mensah, described as Operations Manager. He confirmed that both individuals provided specimen signatures and identification documents to the bank as part of the account-opening process. Under further questioning, the witness agreed that only authorised signatories could approve withdrawals or transfers from a customer's account. "So, you agree with me that on the Blocks of Life Consult Limited account with ADB, there is no way that money can move from the account unless it is sanctioned by the authorised signatories on the mandate form?" counsel asked. "I agree," the witness affirmed.

This testimony is crucial for the defence. If Oware-Mensah and her husband are not listed as directors, shareholders, or signatories on the company's account, it becomes more difficult for the prosecution to prove that she had direct control over the funds or that she personally profited from the alleged scheme. The prosecution's case must demonstrate a direct link between Oware-Mensah's actions as a public official and the financial losses incurred by the state.

The witness also disclosed that ADB opened a hire purchase suspense account for the purpose of the hire purchase facility. He explained that the account was not a conventional customer-operated account but rather a suspense account created by the bank for the management of disbursements and repayments under the facility. He further testified that while the account was not operated by Blocks of Life Consult Limited, transfers from the suspense account to the company were made on the instructions of the accused person.

According to the witness, the first transfer to Blocks of Life Consult Limited was made on February 22, 2023, with a second transfer following on March 2, 2023. When defence counsel questioned the witness about the availability of written authorisation from Oware-Mensah and whether he brought it to court, he maintained that the bank acted on what he described as an omnibus authorisation and that the accused was contacted by telephone before transfers were effected. He acknowledged that there was no separate written instruction specifically authorising the transfer made on February 22, 2023, but insisted the bank had authority to proceed under the broader arrangement governing the facility.

The defence repeatedly suggested that the transfers were made without express authorisation, a proposition the witness rejected. This exchange highlights a key point of contention. The prosecution argues that Oware-Mensah instructed the transfers. The defence argues that there is no written evidence of such instructions. The witness admitted that no separate written instruction existed for the February 22 transfer, which could weaken the prosecution's case.

The trial is being closely watched. Oware-Mensah is a former public official who served in a sensitive role at the National Service Authority. The allegations against her involve significant sums of money and a scheme that allegedly exploited the national service programme. The case has political implications, as the previous administration has been accused of tolerating corruption. The current government has promised to pursue accountability.

The court admitted the account opening form as Exhibit 1 and the mandate form as Exhibit 2, despite objections from the prosecution. The admission of these documents means they are now part of the official record and can be used by the defence to support their argument that Oware-Mensah had no formal role in the company.

The case has been adjourned to June 11 for continuation. The prosecution will likely continue to present evidence linking Oware-Mensah to the alleged scheme. The defence will continue to argue that she was not directly involved and that the real perpetrators are the directors and signatories of Blocks of Life Consult Ltd. The outcome will depend on the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses.

For now, the testimony of the ADB witness has provided a significant boost to the defence. Oware-Mensah and her legal team will point to the bank documents as proof that she was not a director, shareholder, or signatory of the company at the centre of the case. The prosecution will need to produce additional evidence to prove her direct involvement. The trial is far from over. But Wednesday's proceedings have shifted the dynamics. The burden remains on the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. That burden just got heavier.

Fact-Checked: Accra Street Journal