Atta Akyea Abandons Clients In Court

A dramatic scene unfolded at the High Court, General Jurisdiction 10, on Wednesday, when lead defence counsel Samuel Atta-Kyea abandoned proceedings in the ongoing trial of the embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng and their company Advantage Solutions Limited.

The incident occurred after the presiding judge, His Lordship Justice John Nyadu Nyante, refused an oral application by Mr. Atta-Kyea for a one-week stay of proceedings, pending the determination of a Prohibition application the defence had filed at the Supreme Court.

Before announcing his withdrawal, Mr. Atta-Kyea told the court that he had been advised by some senior lawyers, including retired Supreme Court judges to abandon the case if his stay application was rejected.

“My Lord, I have been advised by some senior lawyers and retired Supreme Court judges that if our stay application is refused, we should withdraw from the proceedings,” Mr. Atta-Kyea said.

Despite the court’s refusal and its order for him to remain as counsel, Mr. Atta-Kyea and his legal team walked out, leaving the accused persons without representation.

Justice Nyante, who maintained composure throughout the exchange, noted on record that counsel for the accused had “abandoned proceedings.”

He then ordered the continuation of the day’s business — the evidence-in-chief of Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, Director of Finance at the NSB.

At that point, Mr. Adu Boahene, visibly unsettled, pleaded with the court for time, explaining that he was not a lawyer and would struggle to raise objections or follow proceedings without legal assistance.

In response, the judge remarked that just as the accused had the right to hire counsel, he also had the right to dismiss them, but could not compel them to return.

The court subsequently granted a 30-minute recess for the accused to attempt to convince his lawyers to return, but they never did.

Judge Dismisses Allegations of Bias

Before the drama unfolded, Justice Nyante took time to address allegations of bias leveled against him in the defence’s Supreme Court application, stating emphatically that he had no personal interest in any case assigned to him.

He said any lawyer who has appeared before him will testify that he approaches all matters impartially and it is the same manner he is approaching the Republic v. Kwabena Adu Boahene and Others.

He expressed disappointment that Mr. Atta-Kyea had, in his view, presented “half-truths” to the Supreme Court, distorting the record of proceedings.

“It will take nothing away from me if this case is reassigned to another judge,” he added, referencing his decision to start the Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni case de novo, which he ended up being transferred.

Legal Arguments on Stay and Prohibition

Earlier, the defence had cited Republic v. High Court (Ex parte Kennedy Agyapong) as authority to support its request for an adjournment, arguing that when a Prohibition application is filed at the Supreme Court, lower court proceedings should halt.

However, the prosecution, led by the Principal State Attorney (PSA) Esi Dentah Yankah, opposed the request, citing the Supreme Court’s decisions in Ali Issifu v The Republic and Dr. Stephen Opuni & 2 Others v. The Republic, which held that criminal proceedings are not automatically stayed merely because an interlocutory application is pending.

Justice Nyante agreed with the prosecution, ruling that “no miscarriage of justice will be occasioned if proceedings continue,” since the Supreme Court could later issue corrective orders if necessary.

He, therefore, ordered the witness to take the stand, prompting the defence’s exit.

Case Adjourned

With no defence counsel present, the court adjourned the matter to October 30, 2025 for continuation of proceedings.

Background:

Mr. Adu Boahene, his wife and their company, Advantage Solutions Limited, are standing trial on charges related to alleged procurement and financial improprieties during his tenure as Director-General of the National Signals Bureau.

The prosecution’s case hinges on financial documents and internal audit findings implicating the accused persons in irregular contract awards.

 

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