Six individuals charged for payroll fraud, corruption by OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed charges against six individuals at the High Court in Tamale, Northern Region, over alleged involvement in payroll fraud and corruption.

The accused—Yakubu Tahidu, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, Sammy Suuk, Mohammed Yusif Jay, Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, and Osman Issahaku—are facing 17 charges, including corruption-related offenses that reportedly led to financial losses for the state.

The case stems from an investigation triggered by a referral from National Security. Authorities claim that Yakubu Tahidu continued receiving government salaries despite leaving his teaching position to work at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC). The other accused individuals are alleged to have either enabled or failed to prevent these fraudulent payments.

According to the prosecution, Yakubu Tahidu, formerly a teacher at Balogu M/A JHS, unlawfully remained on the government payroll after moving to MASLOC. Meanwhile, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, Yendi Municipal IPPD Coordinator, and Sammy Suuk, a Schools Improvement Support Officer, allegedly have played a role in validating the payments.

Mohammed Yusif Jay, a former headteacher at Balogu M/A JHS, is also accused of approving the continued salary disbursements even after being reassigned.

Additionally, Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, an Assistant Chief Accounts Technician at the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department is suspected of aiding the processing of fraudulent salaries.

The final accused, Osman Issahaku, who currently serves as the headteacher of Balogu M/A JHS, is also alleged to have validated the unauthorized payments, prolonging the payroll fraud.

The case is expected to proceed in court as the OSP seeks accountability for the alleged misconduct.