By Grace Zigah
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has firmly rejected what he describes as a distorted public narrative surrounding the ongoing prosecution of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahen, insisting that at no point did the state accuse the former security chief of physically carrying money in “Ghana-must-go” bags or brand him a “thief” in the sensational manner portrayed in parts of the media.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series last week, Dr. Ayine expressed frustration over what he called persistent misreporting and deliberate misinformation aimed at undermining the prosecution and prejudicing the administration of justice.
According to him, commentary on social and mainstream media has strayed far from the actual evidence before the court, replacing facts with speculation and theatrics.
AG Draws Line Between Evidence And Propaganda
Dr. Ayine stressed that the prosecution’s case against Adu-Boahen is grounded in documentary and banking evidence, not dramatic claims of cash transfers in sacks.
He explained that the central issue before the court is the unlawful transfer of public funds from a state-controlled account into a private account, not the imagery being pushed by bloggers and political commentators.
“Nobody is disputing that about $7 million was transferred from a public BNC account into a private BNC account.
That evidence is solid,” the Attorney-General stated, adding that the prosecution is relying on bank transfer advice slips, fixed deposit records, and expenditure trails—not rumours.
He cautioned that disagreements over whether the amount should be expressed in dollars, cedis, or exchange-rate equivalents are irrelevant to the substance of the charges.
“Even if I succeed in proving that one cedi of public money was stolen, I have made my case,” he said, emphasizing that the offence lies in the unlawful handling of public funds, not in public arithmetic debates.
Fixed Deposits, Not ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ Bags
Addressing one of the most viral claims, Dr. Ayine categorically denied that the prosecution has ever alleged that Adu-Boahen transported cash in physical bags.
He explained that evidence before the court shows that in March 2020, substantial sums of money were placed in fixed deposit accounts linked to Adu-Boahen and were later drawn down and expended within months.
“This is normal banking evidence. For God’s sake, this is National Security. It is not about people carrying money in bags,” he said, dismissing the narrative as a fabrication designed to inflame public sentiment rather than inform it.
Witness Testimony And Alleged Contradiction
The Attorney-General’s remarks followed media reports suggesting that the state’s case had been weakened by alleged contradictions in the testimony of Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, Head of Finance at the NSB.
Dr. Ayine dismissed those claims, stating that the prosecution’s case remains coherent, evidence-based, and intact.
He explained that variations in figures or timelines during testimony do not collapse a criminal case, especially where documentary records independently corroborate the flow and use of funds.
According to him, the proper place to interrogate such issues is the courtroom, not social media platforms.
Silence Outside Court, Strategy Inside Court
Dr. Ayine also revealed that he has deliberately restrained himself and his deputy from commenting on the substance of the case outside court.
He said he has given strict instructions to prosecutors not to litigate cases in the media, warning that such conduct could amount to contempt and undermine due process.
“Have you ever heard my deputy commenting on the case after court? We don’t do that,” he noted, contrasting the state’s approach with what he described as an orchestrated media campaign by interested parties who allegedly pay bloggers to push misleading narratives.
The Case Against Adu-Boahen
Kwabena Adu-Boahen, a former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, is standing trial alongside his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, and two other alleged accomplices, one of which is now a state witness.
The state has filed 11 criminal charges, including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, conspiracy, causing financial loss to the state, and using public office for profit.
The Attorney-General has previously stated that investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) uncovered what he described as a “dubious scheme” that resulted in a $7 million loss to the state, with some of the funds allegedly used to finance private businesses linked to the accused.
Adu-Boahen and his wife were arrested in March 2025.
AG Warns Against Trial By Media
Dr. Ayine concluded by warning that continued misrepresentation of the case could threaten the integrity of the justice system.
While he stopped short of naming individuals, he hinted that the state had considered contempt proceedings against those he believes are deliberately misleading the public.
“When my investigator takes the stand, Ghanaians will clearly understand the case we have made,” he said, urging the public to allow the court process to run its course.
