The Accra High Court has postponed the trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, to August 25, 2026. This adjournment is pending the final determination of an application before the Supreme Court that seeks to prevent the trial court from sitting during the legal vacation. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the injunction application on August 20.
Mr. Adu-Boahene and his wife are facing trial over the alleged diversion of GH¢49.1 million intended for the procurement of a cyber-defence system. Mr. Adu-Boahene has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including defrauding by false pretenses, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for personal gain, and obtaining public property by false pretenses. His wife also pleads not guilty to charges of collaborating to use public office for personal gain, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering.
When the case was called on Monday, August 17, Peter Osei-Asamoah, who was representing the main defense counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, requested an adjournment. He informed the court that Mr. Atta Akyea had written to explain on August 14 that other professional commitments made it impossible for him to attend proceedings during the legal vacation. Osei-Asamoah argued that the adjournment was necessary to ensure the defendants were adequately represented, as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution.
However, the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the request, pointing out that the reasons provided mirrored those in a previous letter sent to the Chief Justice. He noted that while counsel mentioned other commitments during the vacation, he had not explained why the case could not proceed with other lawyers from his firm representing the defendants.
Dr Srem-Sai argued that the court had already ordered the matter to proceed during the vacation, and that counsel could not, from the Bar, determine the pace of proceedings. He urged the court to dismiss the request and allow the trial to continue.
The court nonetheless adjourned the matter to August 25, to await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the injunction application.
Source: Publishing Desk
