The prosecution expects to close its case next week in the Adu-Boahene GH¢49.1m trial, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem Sai has announced.
Former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and the other accused persons are standing trial over the alleged diversion of GH¢49.1 million from a government account.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include stealing, money laundering and using public office for private benefit.
State outlines evidence presented in court
In a statement on the case, Dr Srem Sai said state attorneys and investigators from the Economic and Organised Crime Office had presented evidence identifying the money as public funds held in the bank account of a government agency.
According to him, the prosecution’s case is that Adu-Boahene opened a bank account in the name of his private company on the same day the first disputed cheque was issued. The company’s name allegedly resembled that of a government agency.
“The principal accused person carefully diverted three cheques which were meant for a government agency into the private bank account,” the Deputy Attorney-General stated.
An EOCO investigator has also testified that three cheques issued in 2020 were deposited into a private company’s account, an allegation being challenged by the defence.
Properties, vehicles and bank records cited
Dr Srem Sai said the prosecution had placed bank statements, payment records, purchase receipts and property ownership documents before the High Court.
He claimed the records traced how the money was spent within six months on houses in prime locations and vehicles allegedly acquired for the accused persons, their relatives and associates.
The prosecution also alleges that some companies, accounts and properties were initially disowned during investigations but later acknowledged after investigators presented supporting documents.
Another part of the state’s case concerns equipment supposedly connected to a cyber-defence project. Dr Srem Sai said the equipment was never purchased and alleged that forged receipts were produced to create the impression that a transaction had occurred.
Defence contests prosecution’s account
The defence has challenged aspects of the investigation and the prosecution’s interpretation of the financial transactions.
Counsel has previously argued that payments connected to the cyber-defence arrangement were authorised special-operations transactions and has questioned whether the evidence establishes criminal conduct.
“We believe that justice will be served to both the accused persons and our beloved Republic at the end of the day,” Dr Srem Sai said.
The trial remains before the court, and no determination of guilt has been made.
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