Kwabena Adu Boahene, the former Signals Bureau chief, is making a desperate attempt to halt his ongoing criminal trial. He and three others are facing a whopping 11 charges, including stealing and money laundering to the tune of GH¢49.1 million in state funds.
Adu Boahene’s lawyers, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, have filed a motion with the Accra High Court to put the brakes on the trial.
They’re hoping the court will grant a “stay of proceedings” while they appeal a previous ruling that denied them access to certain documents they claim are crucial for their defense.
The drama unfolded during a virtual hearing on Wednesday, September 10, when Atta Akyea argued that the prosecution’s refusal to hand over the documents was “damaging” to his clients and their entire case.
However, the prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem Sai, wasn’t having it. He fired back, saying the defense hadn’t shown any “exceptional circumstances” to justify a suspension of the trial.
He insisted that the documents requested by the defense were irrelevant and not even in the prosecution’s possession.
“The question today isn’t whether the appeal has merit,” Dr. Srem Sai stated, “nonetheless, the authority seems to suggest that the quality of the appeal may influence the decision whether to stay proceedings. In this request, we contend that the appeal stands no chance of success.”
After a heated exchange, the presiding judge, Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei, adjourned the case to October 17 to rule on the motion.
This isn’t the first time Adu Boahene has tried to get a hold of these documents. The High Court had previously thrown out his application, citing irrelevance.
His legal team then appealed that decision, accusing the trial judge of “blocking access” to documents they say are key to their evidence.
Adu Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei Boateng, and two others are on trial for a string of serious charges, including stealing, willfully causing financial loss to the state, and abuse of public office.
The prosecution alleges that Adu Boahene, during his time at the bureau, illegally funneled millions from a state account to a private company.