The Accra High Court has reviewed the bail conditions for the embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, reducing his bail sum from GH¢120 million to GH¢80 million with two sureties, one of whom must be justified.
His wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, will remain on her existing GH¢80 million bail, but with two sureties without justification.
The couple, who were arrested last week over their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of state funds, arrived at the court in handcuffs as their legal team sought a revision of their bail conditions, which they deemed excessive.
Legal Arguments
Lead counsel for the couple, Samuel Atta Akyea Esq, argued that the initial bail conditions were unreasonably high and seemed intended to circumvent constitutional limits on detention.
The legal team filed a motion at the Human Rights Court, insisting that the bail conditions were punitive and should be reviewed.
In response, Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai opposed the application, asserting that the accused posed a flight risk.
He revealed that authorities were investigating whether the couple held foreign passports in addition to their Ghanaian ones.
He further alleged that Angela Adjei Boateng had attempted to destroy evidence by moving suspected currency bills into suitcases on the night her husband’s arrest was imminent.
Court’s Ruling
After hearing both sides, the court ruled in favor of a downward review of Adu-Boahene’s bail conditions while keeping his wife’s bail sum unchanged. The couple has also been ordered to report to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) three times a week.
Additionally, they have been barred from traveling unless expressly permitted by EOCO.
Despite the serious allegations, Kwabena Adu-Boahene remains defiant, insisting that he will be vindicated.
When confronted outside the courtroom by journalist ,was asked if he was confident of proving his innocence, Adu-Boahene responded, “Definitely.”
“I have not been charged with anything yet, none whatsoever,” he added.
Background
EOCO arrested the former Director-General at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) last week upon his arrival from London on a British Airways flight. The wife was also arrested when she visited EOCO to check on the husband.
He is accused of embezzlement of state funds.
According to the AG, Dr Ayine, the arrest has to do with his alleged involvement in financial misconduct relating to a $7 million cyber defence system contract.
The disclosure was made during a press conference on Monday, 24th March, where Dr Ayine provided details on the circumstances surrounding the case.
The contract, valued at $7 million, was intended to bolster Ghana’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, data breaches, and digital espionage.
However, investigations suggest that funds allocated for the project were diverted for personal use.
Dr Ayine explained that in his role as Director of the NSB, Adu-Boahene signed the contract on 30th January 2020 on behalf of both the government of Ghana and the National Security Ministry.
The agreement was made with an Israeli firm, RLC Holdings Limited, to supply the cyber defence system software. The procurement was seen as a crucial measure to enhance the nation’s digital security infrastructure.
Despite the significance of the project, the Attorney-General revealed that Adu-Boahene engaged in unauthorised financial transactions.
On 6th February 2020, just days after signing the contract, he allegedly transferred an initial sum of GH¢27.1 million from the National Signals Bureau’s Fidelity Bank account to a UMB private account of BNC, the private firm he set up with his wife. This transaction was reportedly documented as payment for the cyber defence system software.
He is accused of laundering the funds through real estate investments in Accra and abroad.
