Adu-Boahene Speaks For The First Time After Corruption Arrest, Claims Definite Innocence
- The former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has broken his silence after his corruption arrest
- Adu-Boahene told reporters that he was innocent after his bail conditions were reviewed
- Adu-Boahene is alleged to have kept approximately GH¢49 million from the National Signals Bureau’s funding for himself, among others
The former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has spoken for the first time following his corruption arrest.
He pleaded his innocence to Joy News while being paraded out of court in handcuffs after being granted reduced bail, from GH¢120 million to GH¢80 million.
Source: Facebook
Adu-Boahene has been accused of embezzling $7 million in funds meant for a defence contract.
The Akufo-Addo appointee stressed that he was "definitely" innocent when questioned by a reporter at the high court premises on March 28.
"I have not been charged with anything yet, none whatsoever," he said.
Adu-Boahene had previously challenged the GH¢120 million bail demand. His lawyer said the demands were excessive and designed to circumvent constitutional detention limits.
Adu-Boahene's wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, is also under arrest as she's believed to be a part of the private company set up to siphon state funds.
Joy News reported that Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai told the court that she attempted to destroy evidence by carting suspected currency bills into suitcases on the night of her husband's arrest.
Boateng's bail remains at GH¢80 million with two sureties to be justified. They are to report to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) three times a week as part of the bail conditions. The two have also been restricted from traveling.
What is Adu-Boahene accused of doing?
Adu-Boahene is alleged to have transferred approximately GH¢49 million from the National Signals Bureau’s funds into his accounts, falsely justifying these transactions as payments for cyber defence systems.
In an update on the case, the government said initial payment of GH¢9.5 million, about $1.75 million, was reportedly transferred for payment for the defence system.
Adu-Boahene and his wife acquired several landed properties in Ghana and abroad following the alleged embezzlement.
Source: Facebook
These include a property valued at $1 million, one other paid for with an initial cash deposit of $500,000 and another property acquired for $200,000.
Further investigations have uncovered that Adu-Boahene and his wife ostensibly registered approximately 10 companies under Advantage Solutions Limited, a corporate entity allegedly used to cover up illicit transactions.
They are facing up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of the claims against them.
Plea deal on the table for Adu-Boahene
YEN.com.gh reported that Attorney General Dominic Ayine told the press he would be open-minded about the possibility of a plea deal for Adu-Boahene.
Ayine said he was open-minded when it came to plea deals. He noted that the suspects could make an offer through their lawyers immediately after charges are filed.
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Proofreading by Edwina N.K Quarcoo, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Delali Adogla-Bessa (Head of Current Affairs and Politics Desk) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.
Edwina N.K Quarcoo (Copy Editor) Edwina N.K Quarcoo is a copy editor at YEN.com.gh with over 7 years of experience as a copy editor/proofreader. She graduated from UniMAC-GIJ with a diploma in Communications Studies and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Public Relations with Marketing at the same university. Edwina previously served as a media monitor at IOM-Ghana and an assistant radio producer at Hechtech Audio Productions. You can contact her at edwina.quarcoo@yen.com.gh.
