The Accra High Court has given former National Signals Bureau Director Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei Boateng a six-day ultimatum to produce their lawyer.
The judge said failure to do so will result in their conducting cross-examination themselves or the prosecution’s witness being discharged.
Lawyers of the former National Signals Bureau Director Kwabena Adu-Boahene failed to show up in court on Tuesday, August 11 for the continuation of the trial.
Lead Counsel Samuel Atta Akyea on Wednesday, August 5 petitioned the Chief Justice to withdraw the warrant issued to the Court to sit during the legal vacation citing unavailability of the defence lawyers.
When the case was called, Kwabena Adu-Boahene informed the court that he was oblivious of the whereabouts of his lead counsel, adding that he was not sure Atta Akyea was in the jurisdiction. He pleaded with the court to indulge them and grant them time in order to touch base with his lawyers.
But Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai indicated that he had communicated with Samuel Atta Akyea and he had been categorical that he would not show up for the case.
“I’ve spoken with counsel who was categorical that he had written to the CJ and GBA that he will exercise his alleged right to not attend court proceedings during the vacation.
This is our position on the matter. The power to determine whether or not courI’ve spoken with counsel who was categorical that he had written to the CJ and GBA that he will exercise his alleged right to not attend court proceedings during the vacation.
“This is our position on the matter. The power to determine whether or not court proceedings wjll be had during the legal vacation is with the CJ and where the CJ directs subject to the inherent power of the judge to control the proceedings in this court. This is supported by order 75 rule 4 which sets out the period for legal vacation and subjects those periods to order 71 rule 1(1).t proceedings wjll be had during the legal vacation is with the CJ and where the CJ directs subject to the inherent power of the judge to control the proceedings in this court.
“This is supported by order 75 rule 4 which sets out the period for legal vacation and subjects those periods to order 71 rule 1(1),” the Deputy Attorney-General argued.
He subsequently prayed the court to proceed with the case.
The presiding judge however disagreed. Justice Achibonga maintained that it would be unfair to the accused persons if the case progressed in the absence of the lawyers.
He therefore ordered the accused persons to show up with their lawyers in six days or risk continuing the cross-examination of the prosecution’s witness.
He further ordered that failure for the lawyers to show up would result in the discharge of the witness and progression of the case.
The case has therefore been adjourned to August 17 for the accused persons to produce their lawyers.
Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei Boateng have been charged with multiple offences including stealing, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering.
By Laud Adu-Asare
