The Accra High Court has issued a stern ultimatum to former National Signals Bureau boss, Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, to either present their lawyers or initiate cross-examination of the last prosecution witness themselves, adhering to a court order issued by Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga on Tuesday, August 11th. The order follows a significant delay in their lawyer’s arrival, a situation that has prompted a review of the legal proceedings. The judge, Justice Achibonga, stated that the delay was a deliberate challenge to the court’s established protocols for vacation sittings, a point that has drawn attention from the Chief Justice and the Ghana Bar Association. The order was issued in response to a request from the Defence Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, who indicated that the defense lawyers had contacted the Chief Justice and the Ghana Bar Association to formally request a temporary absence from the court during the legal vacation period. However, the judge emphasized that the Chief Justice holds the ultimate authority to decide whether court should sit during this period, and that this control extends to the courtroom itself. The judge’s directive directly addresses the defense lawyers’ insistence on remaining absent, a request that the court has now deemed unacceptable. The legal proceedings center around a complex case involving accusations of conspiracy, theft, and misuse of public funds, with the prosecution alleging that Adu-Boahene and his wife orchestrated a scheme to divert GH¢49.1 million intended for a national cybersecurity system. The case now involves charges of obstructing justice, and the prosecution is seeking to have the accused persons questioned directly by the witness, a move that the judge deemed unfair given their lawyers’ prior absence from the court. The judge’s ruling effectively compels the accused to initiate cross-examination of the witness, potentially delaying the prosecution’s case. The case is currently being handled by the state attorney, Justice Srem-Sai, and the judge’s decision is expected to significantly impact the trajectory of the trial. The judge adjourned the case to August 17th, stating that if the lawyers for Adu-Boahene and his wife fail to appear before the court, they will be obligated to directly question the witness, or the witness will be released. The judge’s order stems from a previous letter from the defence lawyers, dated August 5th, requesting the Chief Justice to reconsider the vacation sittings, and a corresponding letter from the Ghana Bar Association raising concerns about the same issue, further solidifying the judge’s decision to prioritize the witness’s questioning. Background to the case involves a lengthy legal battle concerning the alleged diversion of government funds. The prosecution alleges that Adu-Boahene, as the former director of the National Signals Bureau, and his wife, Mildred Donkor, set up a private company, Advantage Solutions Limited, with a name closely associated with the government agency’s name, and allegedly used it to funnel GH¢49.1 million intended for a national cybersecurity system. All accused parties have pleaded not guilty and are currently on bail while the case continues. The judge’s decision underscores the significant legal challenges faced by the accused, highlighting the complexities of the prosecution’s case and the delicate balance of power within the court system.”}”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
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Source: Adom Online
