Lawyer for former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, has defended his decision to personally lead his client’s defence.

He insists the case is too significant to be handled by junior lawyers.

According to the former Energy Minister, Adu-Boahene needs his experience and “gravitas” to navigate what he considers an unprecedented national security case.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Mr Atta Akyea rejected suggestions that lawyers in his chamber could represent him in the ongoing case.

“Well, the case is not for junior lawyers to handle. Suppose you see what is going on in the realm, you know. So I need to be there because the one who hired me needs my experience and gravitas,” he said.

His comments come as the trial of Mr Adu-Boahene, a former NSB boss, continues amid heightened public attention.

The former intelligence chief is facing criminal proceedings linked to his tenure at the NSB. The case has generated significant interest because of the national security implications surrounding the allegations.

Mr Atta Akyea argued that the case presents an unusual challenge because national security matters have historically not been subjected to open trials.

“I mean to to come to terms with a case that since Guggisberg time or the Gold Coast, national security matter has never been a subject matter of an open trial, you think it’s a small case that we are doing,” he said.

He further described the proceedings as an unprecedented challenge involving the country’s national security arrangements.

“Dangerous president that, because of one man, let’s cancel the whole of the submarine tactics of national security and put national security on trial,” he said.

Mr Atta Akyea said the nature of the case requires a lawyer with substantial experience, arguing that even a highly skilled lawyer could find the circumstances difficult to navigate.

“I don’t think a junior will be able to face such an unprecedented, I mean, case coming from the Attorney General,” he said.

He therefore explained why he was unwilling to hand over responsibility for the defence to another lawyer in his chamber.

“So I couldn’t cede space to a junior to go and do this job for my client. With all respect,” he said.

The lawyer also raised concerns about what he described as selective justice in the handling of cases before the courts.

He questioned why certain criminal cases should receive expedited attention while other serious offences remain pending.

“So I keep asking this question: What selective justice is the chief justice trying to force on us?” he asked.

He cited murder, manslaughter and rape cases among criminal matters he said had also been left pending.

“All the murder cases, all the manslaughter cases, all the rape cases, and other criminal cases are part head. They are not of consequence at all,” he said.

Mr Atta Akyea said he had come too far in his legal career to allow one case to override established legal practices.

“I believe that I’ve come far. I’m not a little boy in the game for me to use one case to cancel the traditions, the practices, and the statutory provisions of Ghana,” he said.