5 granted bail in payroll fraud case, trial adjourned to April 2025

The Commercial Court in Tamale has granted bail to five out of six individuals facing trial for payroll fraud and corruption-related offenses, with strict conditions attached.

The accused—Yakubu Tahidu, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, Sammy Suuk, Mohammed Yusif Jay, Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, and Osman Issahaku—have pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of corruption leading to financial loss to the state.

Each accused must surrender their passport or Ghana Card and provide two sureties, one of whom must be a senior public servant.

The sixth defendant was absent due to short service of summons.

The case, which stems from a National Security referral, involves allegations that Yakubu Tahidu continued receiving a government salary despite no longer being a teacher.

The other defendants are accused of facilitating or failing to prevent the fraudulent payments.

The trial resumes on April 1, 2025.