SSNIT OBS Trial: Ernest Thompson acquitted as Afaglo seeks plea deal over “fake” certificates

The High Court in Accra has acquitted and discharged former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ernest Thompson, along with two others who were accused of causing a financial loss of $15.3 million to the state.

Justice Henry Kwofie dismissed the charges against Mr Thompson, former SSNIT IT Manager John Hagan Mensah, and SSNIT Counsel Peter Hayibor after the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice withdrew the case against them.

The charges were dropped under Section 29 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), which allows the prosecution to withdraw a case with the consent of the court before judgment is pronounced. Following this, Justice Kwofie ruled in line with Section 59 (2)(b)(ii) of Act 30, acquitting the accused persons.

However, the withdrawal notice excluded Caleb Kwaku Afaglo, former Head of Management Information Systems (MIS) at SSNIT, who remains on trial for allegedly securing employment at SSNIT using forged academic certificates.

Afaglo has pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretence, possession of forged documents, and uttering forged documents, contrary to section 169 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Plea bargaining talks begin

Afaglo’s counsel, George Bernard Shaw, informed the court that his client has initiated plea bargaining negotiations with the Attorney-General.

Previously, the defence had sought leave to subpoena three witnesses: Dr James Moss of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr Julian Malveaux of Bennett College, and Professor Derrick Lloyd. However, when the case was called on March 13, Mr Shaw revealed that his client had encountered difficulties in obtaining witness statements.

“As a result, we have advised our client to explore avenues open to him in the defence of this matter,” he told the court.

Plea bargaining is a process in which an accused person agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser charge, reduced number of offences, or a reduced sentence.

Senior State Attorney, Nana Ama Adinkra, confirmed that the prosecution had received a formal request from Afaglo’s legal team indicating their intention to negotiate a plea deal with the Attorney-General.

The case has been adjourned to May 8, 2025.