Court documents in the ongoing criminal trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene have revealed explosive allegations of financial misconduct, including the alleged diversion of GH¢49.1 million in public funds and the reported abduction of a bank officer who filed suspicious transaction reports on accounts linked to him.
According to disclosure materials filed by the Attorney-General, the former spy chief and his co-accused face 11 charges, including stealing, money laundering and defrauding by false pretences.
However, beyond the allegations of financial impropriety, one claim has particularly captured public attention: the alleged detention of a Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) officer after the filing of a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
The Attorney-General’s documents state that on November 26, 2020, the bank officer was reportedly picked up by unidentified persons after work and later released unconditionally the following day without a statement being taken.
Prosecutors allege the officer had carried out a statutory obligation by reporting suspicious activity involving accounts associated with Adu-Boahene.
The financial trail dates back to January 30, 2020, when Adu-Boahene, then serving as Director-General of the NSB, signed a US$7 million contract with Israeli company RLC Holdings Limited for the supply of cyber defence software.
Just days later, prosecutors allege that GH¢27.1 million was transferred from an NSB account at Fidelity Bank into an account belonging to BNC Communications Bureau Ltd, a company allegedly owned by Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng.
The prosecution contends that a total of GH¢49.1 million was eventually diverted from state accounts into private entities linked to the accused persons.
Internal correspondence from UMB, cited in the disclosures, suggests the bank raised concerns over several transactions, including a US$1.75 million transfer request that allegedly lacked the requisite authorization from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.
Despite temporary approval for the transaction, the bank subsequently filed multiple STRs in April and August 2020 after identifying what it described as irregularities.
Investigators further allege that the funds were used to acquire luxury vehicles and properties for the accused persons, relatives and associates. Court filings reportedly include bank statements, receipts and ownership documents tracing the movement of the money.
The Attorney-General also alleges that some of the accused initially denied ownership of certain assets before acknowledging them after being confronted with documentary evidence.
Additionally, prosecutors claim forged purchase receipts were created to conceal the alleged failure to procure the cybersecurity equipment covered under the US$7 million contract.
The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to all charges and remain on bail. Lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea has consistently maintained his clients’ innocence, insisting they committed no wrongdoing.
As the prosecution prepares to close its case, the trial continues to raise critical questions about accountability, the protection of whistleblowers and the management of public funds.
The allegations remain before the court, which will ultimately determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
