Tamale High Court to rule today in NDA corruption trial involving former officials

The High Court of Ghana (Criminal Division) in Tamale is expected to deliver judgment today in a long-running corruption trial involving former officials of the Northern Development Authority (NDA) and other accused persons.

This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and shared on social media on Thursday, April 23, signaling a critical stage in a case that has spanned nearly four years.

The case, The Republic v. Sumaila Abdul Rahman & 3 Others, centers on allegations of corruption and related offences tied to procurement processes under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP). The programme was designed to support infrastructure development across deprived communities, making the allegations particularly significant in the context of public accountability and development spending.

The accused persons include Sumaila Abdul-Rahman, former Chief Executive Officer of the NDA; Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen; Patrick Seidu; and Andrew Kuundaari.

During the course of the trial, the defence filed a submission of no case, arguing that the prosecution had not established sufficient evidence to warrant a response. However, the trial court dismissed this application, determining that there was a case for the accused persons to answer.

The defendants subsequently appealed the ruling, but the Court of Appeal of Ghana unanimously rejected the appeal, thereby allowing the trial to proceed to its final stage.

With the defence having closed its case and both sides presenting their final arguments, the court is now set to deliver its judgment. The outcome is expected to draw significant public attention, given the high-profile nature of the case and its implications for anti-corruption efforts in Ghana.

The trial has remained a focal point in discussions around transparency, procurement practices, and the management of public funds, particularly in relation to development programmes intended to benefit underserved communities.