The High Court in Accra has scheduled July 18 as the date for the trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), along with three co-defendants, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of GH¢49.1 million designated for a cybersecurity defence software project.
The court’s decision comes after it dismissed a request from the defendants for access to national security accounts dating back to 1992.
The presiding judge, Justice John Nyante Nyadu, stated that the accused had failed to provide adequate justification for their request.
In delivering the ruling, Justice Nyadu noted, “The full ruling can be applied for on Monday, July 7,” indicating that further legal proceedings would continue shortly.
The court also confirmed that following the conclusion of prosecution disclosures and the Case Management Conference, the prosecution is expected to present its case within two weeks, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings.
Adu-Boahene, along with his co-defendants Angela Adjei Boateng, Mildred Donkor, and Advantage Solutions, face a total of 11 charges, including stealing, and have all pleaded not guilty.
They are currently on bail as they await trial.
In a motion filed on June 23, Adu-Boahene and his associates, through their legal representation, requested the disclosure of specific documents related to the case.
Among their demands was a “further order that the Attorney-General should make full disclosure and produce for inspection copies of the various National Security Coordinators’ special operations accounts”.
The case has drawn significant public interest, particularly due to the substantial amount of funds involved and the implications for national security.
As the trial approaches, many are watching closely to see how the court will handle the complexities of this high-profile case and the accountability of those in positions of power.
Background
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine formally charged Mr Adu Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, over corruption offences to the tune of GH₵49 million.
Read also: What is unfolding in Adu-Boahene’s case is a travesty of justice – Lawyer slams AG
Together with two others, Mildred Donkor and Advantage Solutions Limited, they are facing charges of 11 counts of offences, including stealing, money laundering, defrauding by false pretences, and wilfully causing financial loss.
According to the writ filed at the High Court on Wednesday, April 30, Mr Adu-Boahene, who was responsible for overseeing critical national security infrastructure, including contracts with foreign companies, signed a deal with an Israeli company, ISC Holdings Limited, to purchase cyber defence software for $7 million.
In total, Adu-Boahene is alleged to have transferred approximately GHS 49 million (around $7 million) from the NSB’s funds into his personal accounts, falsely justifying these transactions as payments for the cyber defence systems, together with his accomplice.
“Further investigations have revealed that no cybersecurity system of the description in the January 30, 2020, contract was ever received by the Bureau of National Communication or by its successor agency, the National Signals Bureau, or by the Government of Ghana,” court documents available to MyJoyOnline indicated.
Adu-Boahene’s wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, is one of three directors of Advantage Solutions Limited, the sole shareholder of BNC Communications Bureau Limited.
Mildred Donkor is a former bank relationship officer for Adu-Buahene, his wife and BNC Communications Bureau Limited.
READ ALSO: EOCO arrests former Deputy D-G of National Signals Bureau
BNC was created by Adu-Boahene and his wife while he was still the NSB boss, and the company was used for the transaction of the security system purchased from the Israeli firm ISC Holdings Limited.
While an initial payment of GHS 9.5 million (about $1.75 million) was transferred to ISC Holdings, no further payments were made to the company.
Instead, subsequent funds were diverted for personal use, including investments and transfers to unknown parties.
The court documents alleged that Adu-Boahene, his wife and Mildred “Therefore ran an elaborate criminal enterprise using A4 (Advantage Solutions Limited) as a holding company through which the stolen funds were funnelled and laundered for their own benefit”.
The documents added that as the holding company for several subsidiary companies, including the Private BNC, A4 received a substantial portion of the stolen funds, which were then invested by its shareholders and directors in the business activities of the subsidiaries, including investments in treasury bills, real estate, the manufacturing of fertiliser and rental of luxury cars to VIP customers.
Mr Adu Boahene was arrested on Thursday, March 20th, at the Kotoko International Airport upon his return from abroad by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) in relation to the scandal but was later granted bail.
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