Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for former National Security official, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has fiercely criticized the decision to proceed with a day-by-day trial in the ongoing GH¢49.1 million cybersecurity software procurement scandal, describing the process as unjust and politically charged.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom following a recent hearing, the seasoned lawyer expressed deep frustration over what he described as a deliberate effort by the Attorney-General’s office to fast-track the trial and secure a conviction “at all costs.”
“I will not accept day-by-day because this is not the only case I’m handling. Why is this case receiving such special treatment? Is someone in a hurry to send my client to jail?”
Mr. Atta Akyea accused the prosecution of withholding crucial documents that could exonerate his client.According to him, despite a High Court order for full disclosure, the defence team has yet to receive all the necessary materials, including complete bank statements and operational financial records from the National Security Secretariat.
“Some documents were clearly edited — pages missing, crucial entries redacted. This is not how a fair trial is conducted. If the Attorney-General is in possession of exculpatory evidence, why is it not being shared?”
He further questioned the selective release of documents, particularly those relating to the operations account of the National Security Secretariat in previous administrations, asking how the prosecution gained access to some records but not others.
“Where did they get Akufo-Addo’s national security coordinator’s operations account? Why are other operational accounts being withheld? It seems convenient to hide some documents and bring others.”
Court Ruling Delayed Again
Mr. Atta Akyea also took issue with what he called inconsistent scheduling and judicial indecision by Justice John NyanteNyadu. He said the court had earlier committed to issuing a detailed ruling on June 21, but has since failed to deliver, leaving the defence in limbo.
“We came to court expecting a reasoned ruling. Nothing. We returned again, and still, no decision. How are we expected to prepare when the court can’t keep its own schedule?”
He called the developments an “aberration of justice,” adding, “In my 32 years of legal practice, I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Claims of Political Interference
Hinting at possible political motivation behind the prosecution, Mr. Atta Akyea suggested that the state is under pressure to secure a conviction for optics rather than based on facts.
“There seems to be an indecent haste as if someone must go to jail to serve a narrative,” he remarked.
Justice is being distorted for political ends. We are not asking for favours. We are asking for fairness,” he said.
Background and Next Steps
The case involves allegations of financial mismanagement in the procurement of cybersecurity defence software valued at GH¢49.1 million during Mr. Adu-Boahene’s tenure at the National Signals Bureau (NSB), under Ghana’s National Security Ministry.
Kwabena Adu-Boahene, first accused (A1), had his spouse Angela Adjei Boateng (A2), employee Mildred Donkor (A3) and firm Advantage Solutions Limited (A4) as accomplices.
The state claims there were serious procedural breaches and possible misappropriation of funds.
The trial has been adjourned to July 18, with Mr. Atta Akyea announcing that the defence will formally apply for the release of all relevant documentation and may pursue further legal remedies to address what he termed “systematic obstruction.”
The post Alleged Cybersecurity Scandal: Atta Akyea Decries Day-by-Day Trial of client appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS