Rice Scandal Case: OSP pushes for bail revocation after airport arrest of the accused

The High Court, Criminal Division 1, is set to rule on Thursday, April 16, 2026, on a bail application involving the second accused in the ongoing rice scandal case, Republic v. Issah Seidu & 3 Others.

According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the application follows developments from the previous court sitting, where concerns were raised over an alleged breach of bail conditions by the accused.

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At Wednesday’s hearing, April 15, 2026, the court was informed that the second accused had been arrested at Kotoka International Airport, now the Accra International Airport, while attempting to leave the country without prior authorisation.

Prosecutors said the accused was intercepted by immigration officials and subsequently handed over to the OSP.

“At yesterday’s sitting, the court was informed that the second accused person had been arrested at Kotoka International Airport while attempting to leave the country without permission, in breach of his bail conditions.

"He was apprehended by immigration officials and subsequently handed over to the OSP,” the OSP said in a statement issued on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Following the arrest, the OSP applied for the revocation of the accused’s bail and urged the court to remand him into custody pending the conclusion of the trial.

However, lawyers for the accused opposed the application, arguing that their client was travelling to attend a seminar after being nominated by his employer.

“The OSP accordingly applied for the revocation of his bail and prayed the court to remand him into custody pending the conclusion of the trial. Counsel for the second accused opposed the application, arguing that his client was travelling to attend a seminar upon nomination by his employer,” the statement added.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the court adjourned the bail application to April 16, 2026, for a ruling.

Meanwhile, proceedings in the substantive case have been temporarily suspended.

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The court has adjourned the trial to May 15, 2026, pending a decision by the Supreme Court on a legal challenge to the OSP’s authority to prosecute the case.

MAG/VPO

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