An Accra High Court has ordered former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, to open their defence on nine of the eleven charges brought against them.

The order follows the court's dismissal of their respective no-case submissions, in which they had asked to be acquitted without being required to present a defence.

However, the court acquitted Kwabena Adu-Boahene on two charges: defrauding by false pretences and obtaining public property by false statements.

Justice Francis Achibonga, who presided over the case, explained that the prosecution's witnesses had not provided evidence of any false representations made by the former NSB boss in relation to the two charges.

Charges dismissed

The court dismissed the following two charges against Kwabena Adu-Boahene:

1. Count 5: Defrauding by false pretences.
2. Count 9: Obtaining public property by false statements.

Charges the accused have been ordered to answer

The court, however, ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the accused persons to open their defence on the remaining nine charges.

State has no case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene - PWREP

The charges are:

1. Count 1: Stealing GH¢27.1 million.
2. Count 2: Stealing GH¢1 million.
3. Count 3: Stealing GH¢21 million.
4. Count 4: Conspiracy to steal GH¢21 million.
5. Count 6: Wilfully causing financial loss to the state.
6. Count 7: Using public office for profit.
7. Count 8: Abetment to commit a crime.
8. Count 10: Money laundering.
9. Count 11: Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Justice Achibonga explained that at the no-case stage, the prosecution is not required to prove the guilt of the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.

He said the court only needs to determine whether the prosecution has presented enough evidence to establish the essential elements of the alleged offences or whether the evidence is so weak that no reasonable jury could find the accused persons guilty.

Details of the alleged GH¢49.1 million transfers

The prosecution alleges that while serving as Director of the Bureau of National Communications, Kwabena Adu-Boahene arranged for about GH¢49.1 million in state funds to be transferred from the bureau's Fidelity Bank account in three separate transactions.

The amounts involved were GH¢27.1 million, GH¢1 million and GH¢21 million.

According to the prosecution, the money was transferred into an account belonging to an entity known as B.N.C. Communications Bureau at UMB, which the former director-general allegedly owned.

In its ruling, the court said the prosecution had presented enough evidence to establish the key elements of stealing, including that the money belonged to the state and that the transfers amounted to an alleged dishonest appropriation.

The court, therefore, dismissed the no-case application in respect of the three stealing charges.

Adu-Boahene was also ordered to open his defence on the charges of wilfully causing financial loss to the state and using public office for profit.

His wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, was also directed to answer the charges brought against her, including conspiracy to use public office for profit, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Accused persons given three weeks to prepare defence

Justice Achibonga reminded the accused persons that they have the right to decide how they wish to present their defence.

He explained that they could give evidence under oath from the witness box, make an unsworn statement from the dock or choose to remain silent.

The court also gave them three weeks to file witness statements if they intend to call witnesses in support of their defence.

The case has been adjourned to December 10, 2026, when the defence phase is expected to begin.

CASE UPDATE:
The Republic v Kwabena Adu-Boahene & 2 Others

1. The Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene in respect of all the 3 counts of stealing. He is to open his defence.

2. The Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife on the count of conspiracy to steal. The two are to open their respective defences.

3. The Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene in respect of the count of causing financial loss to the Republic. He is to open his defence.

4. The Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene in respect of the count of using public office for profit. He is to open his defence.

5. The Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s wife in respect of the count of collaboration to use public office for profit. She is to open her defence.

6. Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife and their private company (Advantage Solutions Limited) in respect of the count of money-laundering. They are to open their respective defences.

7. Prosecution has made out a prima facie case against Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife and their company (Advantage Solutions Limited) in respect of the count of conspiracy to commit money-laundering. They are to open their respective defences.

8. The Accused Persons are, however, acquitted on 2 counts, namely, (1) defrauding by false pretenses, and (2) obtaining public property by false statements.

9. ⁠Defrauding by false pretenses is an alternative to the offence of stealing - you can’t convict a person on both in respect of the same transaction. For that technical reason, the Republic did not even address the Court on that count in our submission.

10. Extreme gratitude to our hardworking State Attorneys and EOCO investigators.

— Justice Srem-Sai (@JusticeSremSai) November 12, 2026