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🇬🇭 Ghana /Crime & Justice

Only $1.75m cyber contract money paid to supplier, EOCO witness tells court

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • An investigator testified that only $1.75 million of a $7 million cyber contract was paid to the Israeli supplier.
  • The court heard that the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau allegedly made substantial cash withdrawals from the account.
  • The state did not receive the cyber security equipment because the full contract amount was not paid, and the case is ongoing.

A Ghanaian court heard testimony that a significant portion of funds allocated for a cyber defense system contract was allegedly diverted, with only a fraction of the payment reaching the intended Israeli supplier. Frank Marshall Cromwell, an investigator with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), told the High Court in Accra that out of a $7 million contract, only $1.75 million was transferred to ISC Holdings.

bank records showed that after GH¢49.1 million was deposited into the BNC Communications Bureau-Operations account on February 6, 2020, a transfer of GH¢9,537,500, equivalent to $1.75 million, was made to ISC Holdings, the Israeli company contracted to supply the equipment.

— Mr Frank Marshall CromwellDetailing the financial transactions related to the cyber security contract.

Cromwell presented bank records indicating that after GH¢49.1 million was deposited into a specific account in February 2020, GH¢9,537,500 (equivalent to $1.75 million) was transferred to the supplier. He testified that no further payments were made from this account. The court was informed that the first accused, former National Signals Bureau Director-General Mr. Kwabena Adu-Boahene, subsequently made substantial cash withdrawals from the depleted account.

no further payments were made to the company from the account.

— Mr Frank Marshall CromwellDescribing the extent of payments made to the supplier.

The prosecution alleges that the accused individuals diverted funds intended for a $7 million cyber defense system contract, designed to enhance Ghana's cybersecurity capabilities. The state reportedly did not receive the contracted equipment because the full payment was not remitted to the supplier. The defense has denied any wrongdoing, and the case has been adjourned for further hearings as the court investigates the alleged financial irregularities and the whereabouts of the equipment.

the state did not receive the cyber security equipment because the full contract amount was not paid to the supplier.

— Mr Frank Marshall CromwellExplaining the consequence of the alleged financial mismanagement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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