A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director, Kwabena Adu Boahene, has made disclosures that appear to support claims by the defence, raising fresh questions about the nature of the charges leveled against him.
Testifying before the High Court, Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah — Director of Finance at the National Signals Bureau — confirmed that Mr. Boahene operated the Bureau’s accounts under direct oversight from the National Security Coordinator and that sensitive expenditures were handled through a clearly defined approval chain.
Her sworn witness statement dated 2 June 2025 affirms that operational payments from the Bureau’s accounts were authorized only after internal audit clearance and dual signatory approval — one from Mr. Boahene and another from the then National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh.
This testimony closely aligns with a 7 May 2025 memo submitted by Boahene’s legal team to the current National Security Coordinator. That memo details the operational nature of the accounts in question and itemizes major expenditures tied to national security operations.
Notably, Ms. Adumuah confirmed that significant payments — over $3.1 million — were made to Israeli firm ISC Holdings Limited, the supplier of a cyber defense system. She submitted invoices and receipts to support the transactions, reinforcing the defence’s argument that funds under scrutiny were used for legitimate, approved state operations.
In a particularly striking revelation, Ms. Adumuah stated that Mr. Boahene consistently informed her prior to any cheque issuance and that all payments required joint authorization from both him and the National Security Coordinator — suggesting a system with internal controls.
Sensitive Payments Highlight Political Dimensions
The 7 May memo also outlines controversial expenditures that underscore the politically sensitive nature of the NSB’s operations. These include:
- GH¢8.3 million allegedly disbursed to an opposition party for communication equipment related to election results collation;
- GH¢5.1 million purportedly paid to the aide of the then President-elect for luxury vehicles including a 2024 Nissan Patrol and a Land Cruiser GXR;
- Allowances to Members of Parliament on committees involved in the passage of the NSB Act in 2020.
Though the prosecution insists these payments raise red flags of misappropriation, the defence maintains they were legitimate operational expenses tied to national security — and subject to prior clearance.
A Trial Under the Public Microscope
Mr. Boahene and three others are on trial for allegedly diverting state funds. But as the case unfolds, the testimonies and documents surfacing may complicate the narrative of straightforward embezzlement.
Legal experts have noted that the corroboration by Ms. Adumuah — a state witness — could be pivotal in shaping the court’s understanding of the internal financial procedures at the NSB.
As Ghanaians closely watch the case, civil society groups are also calling for due process and transparency, insisting that the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence must guide public and judicial opinion alike.
The next hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
