‘Comical joke’: Atta Akyea disputes ‘personal account’ claim in former NSB boss Adu-Boahene case

Lawyers representing former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, have strongly pushed back against allegations that he diverted state funds into a personal bank account, describing the claims as misleading and inconsistent with evidence presented before the court.

Speaking to the media after proceedings on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Criminal Court 3 of the Accra High Court, defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea argued that the bank account at the centre of the controversy is not a private account belonging to his client, but rather an official National Security Special Operations account used for authorised transactions.

His comments come in response to accusations by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, who has alleged that Adu-Boahene transferred substantial sums—reportedly up to $7 million—into a personal account held with UMB.

However, Atta Akyea contends that testimony presented by the prosecution’s own witness contradicts that narrative. He pointed to evidence indicating that the account was used in an official capacity by National Security operatives.

“We don't want to prejudge some of the issues, but nobody can run away from the fact that the UMB account was a National Security Special Operations account,” he said.

He further referenced the testimony of a prosecution witness, identified as Edith, who allegedly deposited cheques into the account as part of her duties as a National Security operative.

“And if you heard her, she went there as a National Security operative to pay cheques into it. She didn't pay the cheque in a hole. It has an account name and an account number, and it is not Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s private account,” he stated.

According to the defence, documentary evidence submitted in court—including deposit slips—clearly shows that the account carries an institutional name and corresponding account number, contradicting claims that it was a personal account used for private gain.

“As if people want to pretend that Adu-Boahene has an account in a corner… The paying slips have been tendered with an account name and account number. So what kind of comical joke is this?” Atta Akyea remarked, dismissing suggestions that his client secretly siphoned public funds for personal use.

Background to the Case

The case originates from a controversial $7 million contract signed on January 30, 2020, between the NSB and RLC Holdings Limited, an Israeli firm, for the procurement of cyber defence system software.

According to the Attorney-General, only $1.75 million of the contract sum was paid directly to the vendor. The remaining funds—equivalent to approximately GH¢39.5 million—were allegedly diverted to a private entity known as BNC Communications Bureau Limited, which prosecutors claim is linked to Adu-Boahene and his spouse.

The prosecution further alleges that on February 6, 2020, an additional transfer of GH¢271 million was made from an NSB account at Fidelity Bank into a UMB account associated with BNC, purportedly under the pretext of paying for the same software.

Officials argue that these transactions form part of a broader pattern of financial irregularities during Adu-Boahene’s tenure as Director-General of the NSB.

Defence Pushback and Ongoing Trial

Despite these allegations, Atta Akyea maintains that the prosecution’s narrative of personal enrichment is not supported by the evidence currently before the court. He insists that the account in question was part of the operational framework of National Security and was used by authorised personnel for legitimate purposes.

With both the prosecution and defence presenting sharply contrasting accounts, the trial is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Additional witnesses are expected to testify, and further documentary evidence will be examined as the court seeks to establish the facts.

The case has attracted significant public and media attention due to its implications for transparency, accountability, and the management of sensitive national security funds in Ghana.