Trial judge halts $7m Adu Boahene case over legal vacation injunction

The trial of former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, has been suspended. They face charges of allegedly diverting $7 million intended for a cybersecurity project. Their legal team filed an injunction application to halt proceedings during the legal vacation.

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although filing an injunction application did not automatically operate as a stay of proceedings, a lower court should not continue an action which a superior court had been asked to restrain until the application had been determined.

Presiding Judge Justice Francis Achibonga acknowledged that while an injunction application doesn't automatically stay proceedings, a lower court should not proceed if a superior court is asked to restrain the action. He adjourned the case to August 25, 2026, noting that adjourning until after the vacation would negate the purpose of holding proceedings during that period. He suggested lawyers from the accused's firm could attend to ensure an expeditious trial.

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adjourning the trial until after the legal vacation would defeat the purpose of scheduling proceedings during the period, adding that lawyers from Mr Akyea’s firm could represent the accused to ensure an expeditious trial.

However, the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Edem Srem-Sai, opposed the adjournment. He argued that the defense had not shown why other lawyers from the firm could not represent the accused and that counsel could not dictate the pace of proceedings. The case involves allegations of embezzlement and financial misconduct concerning a $7 million cyber defense system contract. A witness previously testified that Adu-Boahene transferred GH¢9.54 million (approximately $1.75 million) to the Israeli company ISC Holdings, with remaining funds allegedly withdrawn for personal use.

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the lead counsel had other professional commitments during the vacation and could not attend the proceedings.