The Accra High Court has ordered former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene to mount the witness box to defend himself in the criminal trial involving the alleged theft of GH¢49.1 million for the purchase of a cybersecurity defense system.
The court, presided over by Justice Francis Achibonga, ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Adu-Boahene on eight counts, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit and money laundering.
The former NSB Director’s wife, Angela Adjei Boateng who is the second accused person, and their company, Advantage Solutions Limited, have also been ordered to open their defence on charges of conspiracy to commit stealing.
In its ruling, the court held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require the accused persons to respond to the allegations.
On the first count of stealing GH¢27.1 million, the court said the prosecution had sufficiently demonstrated that the money belonged to the Government of Ghana and that Adu-Boahene had appropriated it, thereby depriving the state of its use.
The judge said the accused must now provide an explanation through their defence, adding that the evidence of the prosecution’s witnesses on the count had not been discredited.
The court adopted the same reasoning in relation to the second count, involving the alleged stealing of GH¢1 million, and the third count of stealing GH¢21 million.
On the fourth count of conspiracy to steal GH¢49.1 million, involving Adu-Boahene and his wife, the court said evidence before it suggested that the two had agreed to steal the money.
It noted that the second accused person was the sole shareholder of Advantage Solutions Limited, through which some of the funds were allegedly transferred.
However, the court dismissed two charges against Adu-Boahene, acquitting and discharging him on the counts of defrauding by false pretences and obtaining public property by false statements.
The judge said the prosecution had failed to lead evidence establishing any false representation allegedly made by Adu-Boahene to facilitate the transfer of the GH¢49.1 million into the BNC Communications Bureau Limited account.
The court observed that the prosecution’s own case suggested that Adu-Boahene was dealing with himself without seeking approval from another person, making it difficult to establish the alleged false representation.
On the sixth count of willfully causing financial loss to the state, the court held that the prosecution had established that GH¢49.1 million belonging to the state had been transferred into the BNC account.
It said the evidence raised a triable issue over whether a cybersecurity device allegedly supplied by an Israeli company to BNC had actually been delivered.
The court considered a letter from the Israeli company indicating that the device had been supplied, alongside an NSB inventory tendered by the prosecution which did not include the equipment.
The judge held that the evidence was sufficient to require Adu-Boahene to open his defence on the charge.
On the seventh count of using public office for profit, the court said evidence showed that GH¢600,000 had been withdrawn and GH¢53,000 deposited into an account belonging to BNC, with GH¢50,000 subsequently withdrawn on the same day.
It further noted that Adu-Boahene’s wife was both a director and shareholder of the company, making her an associate of the former NSB director.
The court also found sufficient evidence to require Adu-Boahene to answer the money laundering charge and the related conspiracy charge.
His wife, the second accused person, was ordered to open her defence on four counts: conspiracy to steal, collaboration to commit a crime, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Advantage Solutions Limited, the third accused, was also directed to open its defence on the two money laundering-related charges.
The court said the prosecution had established a prima facie case of the underlying stealing offences and presented sufficient evidence suggesting that the three accused persons had allowed themselves to be used in the alleged money laundering scheme.
Following the ruling, Justice Achibonga ordered the accused persons to file their witness statements if they’re minded to do so by December 4, 2026.
The case has been adjourned to December 10, 2026.
By Laud Adu-Asare
