Adu-Boahen, wife, two others plead not guilty to GHC49m corruption charges

Four accused individuals in the National Signals Bureau case are Kwabena Adu-Boahen, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, Mildred Donkor, and Advantage Solutions Limited. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.

Before their pleas were taken, their lawyer, Samuel Atta-Akyea, requested an adjournment. He argued that his clients had been ambushed by the state. The accused attended an invitation from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on April 29. There, they learned about the charges pending arraignment by the Attorney General.

They were told to return to EOCO on April 30. However, they were informed they would be arraigned without being officially served with charges. Atta-Akyea asked the court to defer proceedings for proper service of charges.

The Attorney General opposed this request. He argued that both the accused and their lawyer knew about the charges. The court, led by Justice Eugene Nyante Nyadu, directed that the charges be read aloud.

Kwabena Adu-Boahen faces seven counts including stealing and defrauding by false pretence. His wife Angela Adjei-Boateng is charged with collaborating with him for personal gain. The couple is also jointly charged with conspiracy to steal.

All four accused face additional charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime related to money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty.

The judge will hear in-camera evidence from Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine next. He seeks to remand Kwabena Adu-Boahen due to alleged witness tampering. Lawyer Samuel Atta-Akyea questioned how this could happen under state supervision.

The judge has granted temporary bail for all accused persons under existing conditions. A determination will be made on Friday based on the in-camera evidence presented by the Attorney General.