The Accra High Court has ordered defence counsel in the case of former Signals Bureau Director and two others not to indulge in any plea bargain agreements until the prosecution has filed and accordingly served them with the full disclosures they will rely on in the case.
On Monday, May 26, 2025, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai pleaded with the court to be given more time to file their disclosures after failing to meet the deadline given by the court.
He explained that the investigator on the matter was temporarily unavailable.
“By the proceedings of the last adjourned date, we were ordered to file our witness statements and disclosures by May 20. However, we couldn’t comply with the deadline because one of our key investigators was indisposed, thus unavailable to sign the relevant documentation,” Dr Srem-Sai posited.
“Our failure to comply with the orders was never deliberate or intentional. We pray you grant us a week’s adjournment. The investigator will be back on Friday,” he added.
Lead Counsel for Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea did not oppose the plea.
The presiding judge, John Nyadu Nyante, then ordered the disclosures to be filed by June 2.
The judge also ordered the lawyers of the accused persons to only engage in plea bargain request with the prosecution after the Attorney-General has filed and served the disclosures to them.
Prior to his decision, lawyers of both parties were seen having conversations outside the courtroom, followed by a private sidebar meeting with the presiding judge.
Commenting on the development, however, Samuel Atta Akyea maintained that his client is innocent and dismissed any considerations of a plea bargain.
“We’ve not made any overtures. There’s nothing on the table for us to plea bargain,” he told journalists after proceedings.
He noted that the judge only made the order since it is a variable for the defence to consider.
The case has been adjourned to June 11.
