Lawyer Kwesi Botchway Jnr, a legal practitioner associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has raised concerns about what he describes as glaring contradictions in government communications regarding a controversial $7 million cyber defence software procured for the National Signals Bureau (NSB).

In a Facebook post on September 11, 2025, the lawyer wrote, "John Mahama, during his media engagement yesterday, stated that the National Signals Bureau (NSB) now has the technology to use a person's IP number to find the location of that individual, wherever they may be.

"Meanwhile, according to his Attorney-General, the equipment was never delivered, hence the prosecution of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, despite the suppliers, ISC Holdings of Israel, confirming delivery to the NSB.

"The President has also confirmed that the cyber defence equipment bought by Adu-Boahene was indeed delivered and is in use by the NSB.

"Who is deceiving who? What is happening?"

Botchway's post followed the circulation of excerpts from statements made by both President Mahama and the Attorney-General on the controversial software.

During his media engagement, Mahama asserted that the NSB had acquired technology capable of tracing individuals by their IP addresses and had been given the mandate to clamp down on persons engaged in hate speech and incitement online.

"The National Signals Bureau now has the technology to use your IP number and find you wherever you are. So, I'm sending a signal to Ghanaians that we can find you… Those doing hate speech and things, we'll use your IP number, we’ll trace you. And when we trace you, we'll deal with you under the criminal code for inciting violence and disturbing the peace," he said.

But the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has told the court that investigations show no such system was ever received by the state, insisting that an inventory confirmation from the National Security Secretariat proved the equipment was never taken into stores.

'We will find you' - President Mahama reacts to crackdown on hate speech

"Further investigations have revealed that no cybersecurity system of the description in the January 30, 2020, contract was ever received by the Bureau of National Communications or by its successor agency, the National Signals Bureau or by the Government of Ghana. An inventory confirmation from the National Security Secretariat shows that the equipment was never received into stores, as is the practice in the public services," Dr Ayine said in one of his documents.

This contradiction, according to the lawyer, has become central to the ongoing prosecution of the former Director-General of the Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, who is standing trial alongside his wife and two others for allegedly diverting GH¢49 million meant for the purchase of the system.

The Attorney-General contends that Adu-Boahene and his wife created a private company with a name strikingly similar to the then Bureau of National Communications and channelled the funds through it.

While $1.7 million was reportedly transferred to the Israeli supplier, ISC Holdings Ltd, prosecutors say the remainder was laundered through a complex web of companies and used to acquire properties in Accra, Kumasi, and London, as well as to finance the couple's lifestyle.

High Court sets October 17 to rule on application to halt Adu Boahene trial

The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to charges including stealing, defrauding by false pretence, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering.



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