Summary of the Republic's case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene and 2 others

The prosecution has closed its case against former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife and their company after calling four witnesses to support allegations that they unlawfully used GH¢49.1 million belonging to a state agency.

The Republic alleges that Adu-Boahene transferred the money from the agency’s bank account into an account belonging to his private company. It further claims that he and the other accused persons subsequently spent the funds through their company and other associated entities.

The three accused persons have been charged with stealing, money laundering and causing financial loss to the Republic. The allegations have not been proven, and they have pleaded not guilty.

Adu-Boahene’s case is that the money was not used for his personal benefit or that of his relatives, friends or associates. He maintains that it was used to procure a cyber defence system for the state agency.

The prosecution’s first witness was a family driver employed by Adu-Boahene and his wife. He told the court that he ran financial errands for the couple and transported large sums of money from banks to them and to some of their relatives, friends and associates.

The second witness, the agency’s Head of Finance, gave evidence about its procedures for handling funds and procuring defence systems.

According to the witness, the names written on three cheques did not correspond with the name of the bank account into which the cheques were eventually deposited. The witness said the account belonged neither to the agency nor to a company known to it.

The Head of Finance also testified that the agency did not order the cyber defence system Adu-Boahene says was purchased with the money.

The prosecution further alleged that the identification number appearing on the invoice said to cover the cyber defence system belonged to a different piece of equipment previously purchased by the agency through its official processes.

The third witness was an employee who managed the personal financial and business affairs of Adu-Boahene and his wife. She testified about how the GH¢49.1 million was allegedly disbursed through their company and to other businesses, relatives and associates.

She also gave evidence about the couple’s investments in real estate and financial instruments.

According to her testimony, a bank filed a suspicious transaction report concerning activities on one of Adu-Boahene’s accounts, following which the account was closed. She also tendered cheques allegedly signed in advance by the couple, some of which were cashed and paid to contractors working on properties in Accra and Asokore Mampong.

The prosecution’s final witness was an investigator from the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

The investigator tendered the three cheques and their deposit slips, which the prosecution says were used to transfer the GH¢49.1 million from the agency’s account into the private company’s account.

The court also received incorporation and account-opening documents for companies associated with Adu-Boahene and his wife, including the company into whose account the money was allegedly deposited.

Bank statements were introduced to trace how the prosecution says the money was spent after the transfer. The investigator also tendered receipts and documents relating to property purchases which, according to the prosecution, were connected to Adu-Boahene’s private bank accounts.

Evidence concerning Adu-Boahene’s earnings during approximately two decades in the public service, as well as the companies and assets attributed to him, was also placed before the court.

With the prosecution’s case closed, the court has given the accused persons until September 25 to file submissions of no case to answer. Through those submissions, they may argue that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to require them to open their defence.

The Republic will have 14 days after being served to respond.

The case has been adjourned to November 5, 2026.