A second key prosecution witness, who is Head of Finance at the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Ruby Edith Adumuah, has told the court that Kwabena Adu-Boahene was compelled by the financial challenges of the National Security to arrange and pre-finance payments to its suppliers.
Under cross-examination led by counsel for the accused, Samuel Atta Akyea, she noted that the National Security was cash-strapped at a point, with a balance of just Gh¢11,000. She said this situation led Adu Boahene to take steps to resolve issues with Ability Computers and Software Industries Limited of Israel.
Adu Boahene is facing multiple charges, including causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and stealing, alongside his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, in an ongoing case centred on a ¢49 million cybersecurity contract scandal.
Speaking to the media after the cross-examination, Samuel Atta Akyea said the testimonies of the prosecution are providing a strong basis to support his client’s arguments in court.
“These are their own documents; they are not our inventions. So if their own documents are undermining their case, we will see how it goes,” he said.
He also noted that his client has been given shabby treatment, arguing that if any wrongdoing had occurred, the National Security should have used its internal disciplinary mechanisms to address the issue, rather than putting the institution on trial and exposing sensitive details, including sources of equipment acquisition from Israel.
AG’s allegation against Adu Boahene
During a press conference on March 24, the Attorney-General, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, outlined the prosecution’s case. He alleged that while serving as Director of the Bureau of National Communications (BNC) in 2020, Adu Boahene, wielding the authority to approve expenditure, transferred GH¢49.1 million from the BNC’s account into a private company account jointly owned by himself and his wife.
Dr. Ayine further alleged that in January 2020, Adu Boahene signed a US$7 million contract on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the National Security Council with an Israeli company, ISC Holdings Ltd, for the purchase of a cyber defence system. He noted that only $1.75 million was paid to ISC Holdings Limited, representing an alleged 25 percent part payment.
Contradiction
However, during last week’s proceedings, defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea referred the witness to documentary exhibits, including cheques linked to the transactions under scrutiny.
He first asked whether the cheques bore the signature of the National Security Coordinator.
“The cheques bear the signature of the National Security Coordinator. Is that not so?” counsel asked.
“Yes, my Lord,” the witness responded.
The witness further confirmed that a cheque for GH¢1 million, dated March 18, 2020, carried the signature of the late Mr Kyeremeh.
When counsel drew her attention to another exhibit involving a cheque for GH¢27,100,000, the witness again confirmed that it was signed by the National Security Coordinator.
A third cheque for GH¢21,000,000 was also referenced during the cross-examination.
“All three cheques signed by the National Security Coordinator were for special operations purposes,” Atta Akyea stated.
“Yes, my Lord,” the witness affirmed.
Authorisation
The witness also confirmed that the cheques, amounting to GH¢49.1 million, were authorised from a special operations account known as the “Coordinator’s Account–NSC” at Fidelity Bank, which is controlled by the National Security Coordinator.
This, the defence argues, contradicts the Attorney-General’s allegation that Adu Boahene single-handedly transferred GH¢49.1 million from a BNC account.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to March 18 at 12 PM for the prosecution’s witness cross-examination to continue
ALSO READ:
