The former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), formerly the Bureau of National Communications (BNC), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has pleaded not guilty to a string of criminal charges, including allegedly causing a financial loss of GH₵49 million to the state in a controversial cybersecurity contract.
Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei Boateng, former bank relationship officer Mildred Donkor, and a company linked to them, Advantage Solutions System, were all arraigned before the High Court in Accra on Wednesday.
They face a total of 11 charges ranging from stealing and defrauding by false pretence to conspiracy, money laundering, and using public office for personal gain.
Appearing before Justice Eugene Nyante Nyadu at around 5:00 p.m., all three individuals entered not guilty pleas through their counsel, lawyer and Member of Parliament Samuel Atta Akyea.
The accused are to remain on their respective bail conditions until the case resumes on Friday, May 2, when the court will consider a prosecution request to remand Adu-Boahene into custody.
According to the prosecution led by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, the charges stem from a deal signed in January 2020 between Mr Adu-Boahene and Israeli company ISC Holdings Ltd. The contract, valued at approximately $7 million (GH₵49 million), was for the supply of a cyber defence system intended to bolster Ghana’s national security infrastructure.
The prosecution alleges that although an initial payment of GH₵9.5 million was made to the foreign contractor, no system was ever delivered. An inventory check conducted by the National Security Secretariat reportedly confirmed that no such equipment reached the NSB or any affiliated agency of the Government of Ghana.
Investigators claim that Adu-Boahene and his wife had, prior to the deal, established a private company called BNC Communications Bureau Limited — a name strikingly similar to the Bureau of National Communications, which he then headed.
It is alleged that public funds were fraudulently transferred from the government’s BNC accounts into the accounts of the private BNC, and subsequently laundered through a series of related companies ultimately tied to Advantage Solutions System.
Prosecutors allege that the diverted funds were used to acquire properties in Accra, Kumasi, and London, invest in treasury bills, finance a luxury car rental service, and support a fertiliser manufacturing venture. They further claim the illicit funds were used to sustain a lavish lifestyle for the couple and their associates.
The charges include three counts of stealing against Adu-Boahene alone, with additional charges of defrauding by false pretence, obtaining public property by false statement, and willfully causing financial loss to the state.
He is also accused of using public office for profit. Together with his wife, he faces counts of conspiracy to steal and joint misuse of public office. Donkor, who allegedly facilitated the flow of funds from the bank, is charged alongside them with conspiracy to launder money and money laundering.
Mr Adu-Boahene was arrested on March 20 at the Kotoka International Airport upon his return to Ghana and was subsequently granted bail. His legal team has maintained that the allegations are politically motivated and without merit.
