By Daniel Bampoe, Accra
The trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene has taken a new turn after Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga assumed responsibility for the case at the Accra High Court, replacing Justice John Eugene Nyante Nyadu as the presiding judge.
The change in the bench comes as the court continues hearing evidence in the high-profile case in which Adu-Boahene and two others are facing multiple criminal charges, including stealing, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state in relation to GH¢49.1 million, an amount prosecutors say was unlawfully diverted from state funds.
First Proceedings Under New Judge
During the first hearing before Justice Achibonga on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the prosecution’s witness, Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, who serves as Head of Finance at the National Security Bureau, came under intense cross-examination from defence lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Adu-Boahene.
The cross-examination focused largely on the management of national security funds under the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and the procedures governing sensitive security expenditures.
Ms. Adumuah told the court that while certain categories of national security expenditure undergo regular auditing, special operations funds are exempt from standard auditing processes due to their highly classified and sensitive nature.
Her testimony provided insight into how intelligence-related funds are sometimes handled outside conventional public financial scrutiny in order to protect national security operations.
Authorization Of GH¢49.1m
A key moment in the proceedings came when the witness confirmed that the GH¢49.1 million at the center of the prosecution’s case had been authorised through cheques signed by the late National Security Coordinator Joshua Kyeremeh.
According to her testimony, the cheques were issued for special operations and included transfers of GH¢1 million, GH¢27.1 million, and GH¢21 million.
This revelation is seen by the defence as significant because it suggests that the movement of the funds may have been formally authorised at the highest levels of the national security structure, potentially challenging the prosecution’s assertion that Adu-Boahene independently diverted the money.
Background
The trial forms part of a broader corruption prosecution initiated by the Attorney-General’s Department following investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Prosecutors allege that Adu-Boahene orchestrated a scheme that diverted approximately $7 million (GH¢49.1 million) originally intended for a cybersecurity contract involving an Israeli technology firm.
According to the state, the funds were allegedly transferred into private accounts and used to finance personal assets and luxury real estate, including multiple residential properties.
As a result, Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, and other alleged accomplice have been charged with 11 offences, including conspiracy to commit crime, stealing, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, and using public office for profit.
Defence Claims Funds Were Used for Security Operations
The defence has consistently rejected the allegations, insisting that the money was legitimately used to support sensitive national security assignments.
In a memo reportedly written from custody, Adu-Boahene claimed the funds financed ten special operations aimed at maintaining national stability.
Among the alleged expenditures listed by the defence are:
GH¢6.9 million for a counter-terrorism initiative known as “Operation Conquered Fist” between 2020 and 2024.
GH¢960,000 and GH¢309,000 in sitting allowances reportedly paid to Members of Parliament during efforts to facilitate the passage of the National Signals Bureau Act and other security-related legislation.
GH¢5.1 million allegedly paid to a special aide for the acquisition of vehicles used for operational assignments.
The defence argues that these expenditures were part of classified security activities and therefore may not appear in conventional public financial accounting systems.
Wider Debate Over National Security Spending
The case has sparked broader public debate in Ghana about the transparency and oversight of national security expenditures, particularly funds classified as “special operations.”
While such funds are often shielded from public scrutiny for security reasons, critics say the lack of routine auditing can create vulnerabilities for abuse.
Adjournment
Following Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Achibonga adjourned the case to March 17 and March 18, 2026, when the cross-examination of the prosecution witness is expected to continue.
