Legal counsel for Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Samuel Atta Akyea, has raised concerns about the treatment of his client and his wife, Angela Boateng, following their recent arrest.

He says he has no option but to use the law courts to seek bail for them.

Atta Akyea claims that he was not allowed to properly interrogate his clients, accusing the authorities of violating their legal rights during the detention process by recording their conversation.

The controversy stems from comments made by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, at a press conference on Monday, March 24, where he alleged that Adu-Boahene had been involved in the diversion of $7 million from a cyber defence system contract into his personal account.

Both Adu-Boahene and his wife remain in detention at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

In an interview with Maame Esi Thompson on Joy News Desk on Tuesday, March 25, Atta Akyea criticised the circumstances surrounding their arrest, calling it unfair and a breach of legal protocol.

"I’m unable to communicate with my client because I’ve been directed to the General Legal Council if I’m having a tête-à-tête with my client. And guess what? An official of EOCO is listening to our conversation, and we are being recorded. That’s a violation of the justice delivery system. It’s never been done anywhere in the world."

We will use the courts of justice, equity, and good conscience to secure the release of our client. Certainly, that’s the only recourse; we can’t do otherwise."

He outlined that Adu-Boahene was taken into custody on Thursday, March 20, while his wife, Angela, was arrested the following day when she voluntarily visited EOCO to check on her husband’s well-being.

Atta Akyea further stated that when he attempted to speak with the detained couple, he was told that he could only proceed with any questioning if prosecutors were present, a condition he argued undermined the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality.

Atta Akyea also mentioned that he attempted to escalate the matter by seeking to speak with the superior officers at EOCO, but was unable to do so. While he was in the conference room waiting to meet with the authorities, the press conference began, in which the Attorney-General made public statements about the case.

Regarding Mr Boahene, the bail sum is Gh₵120 million, all of which must be justified. The kind of justification, and how onerous it is, is something you will understand when you come. This is why the law should not permit them to determine the liberty of an individual. It is the court of law, as the constitution states that will impose reasonable conditions to ensure that the investigation continues."

“Pathetic! Not even statements have been taken from them. You vilify a man and defame him without hearing his side of the story. And this is coming from the first gentleman of the bar, who is also a law lecturer, as well as his deputy. They are both lecturers. What are you teaching the law students?”

Background

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has revealed that the arrest of Kwabena Adu-Boahene has to do with his alleged involvement in financial misconduct relating to a $7 million cyber defence system contract.

The disclosure was made during a press conference on Monday, 24th March, where Mr Ayine provided details on the circumstances surrounding the case.

According to the Attorney-General, Adu-Boahene was apprehended for allegedly misappropriating public funds earmarked for the procurement of cybersecurity infrastructure.

The contract, valued at $7 million, was intended to bolster Ghana’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, data breaches, and digital espionage. However, investigations suggest that funds allocated for the project were diverted for personal use.

He was also accused of laundering the funds through real estate investments in Accra. He's also believed to have acquired some properties abroad.