Adu-Boahene ordered to open defence on nine counts, acquitted on two in GH¢49.1m trial

The High Court in Accra has ordered the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, to open his defence on nine of the eleven charges against him in the GH¢49.1 million cyber-defence funds trial, and acquitted and discharged him on the other two, and on Thursday 12 November 2026.

The court, presided over by Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as an additional High Court judge, dismissed the submissions of no case to answer filed by Mr Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, after the prosecution closed its case. Mrs Adjei-Boateng was ordered to open her defence on four counts relating to alleged stealing and money laundering.

The prosecution alleges that while he headed the Bureau of National Communications, Mr Adu-Boahene caused about GH¢49.1 million meant for the procurement of a cyber-defence system for the State to be transferred in three tranches to an account of an entity he allegedly owned. The charges he must answer include stealing, wilfully causing financial loss to the State, using public office for profit, money laundering and conspiracy.

Justice Achibonga acquitted Mr Adu-Boahene on the charges of defrauding by false pretences and obtaining public funds by false statements, holding that the prosecution's witnesses had made no reference to any false representations. The judge noted that at the no-case stage the prosecution is not required to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

A ruling that an accused person must open a defence means the court considers that the prosecution has made out a prima facie case at this stage; it is not a finding of guilt. The accused persons have pleaded not guilty and remain presumed innocent.

The court gave the accused three weeks to file witness statements if they intend to call witnesses, and adjourned the case to 10 December 2026, when they are expected to open their defence. The prosecution is led by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, while Samuel Atta Akyea represents the accused.