The Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, seeking to halt her ongoing trial and refer constitutional issues to the Supreme Court.

Presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, ruled that the application lacked merit and directed the accused to comply with witness disclosure requirements as the trial proceeds.

Lawyers for the former NSA official had urged the court to seek constitutional interpretation of provisions in the Practice Direction on Disclosure and Case Management Proceedings, alongside sections of the 1992 Constitution. However, the court upheld its earlier decision, which ordered the accused to submit a list of her intended witnesses during the Case Management Conference.

Gifty Oware-Mensah is standing trial over her alleged involvement in the National Service “ghost names” scandal, which is said to have caused a financial loss of approximately GH¢38 million to the state.

She has pleaded not guilty to 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 deputy director has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million. The case has been adjourned to February 18 for continuation of proceedings.