The Accra High Court has dismissed an application by former Signals Bureau Director-General Kwadwo Adu Boahene seeking to adjourn his trial until the Supreme Court determines a review application filed by Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
The review application before the Supreme Court concerns the continuation of selected criminal cases during the court’s legal vacation.
Lawyer for Adu Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, had asked the High Court to suspend proceedings until September 2, when a three-member Supreme Court panel is scheduled to hear Oppong Nkrumah’s review application.
The defence argued that the Supreme Court’s decision could potentially affect the ongoing trial and that it would therefore be appropriate for the High Court to wait for the outcome.
However, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Justice Srem-Sai opposed the application. He told the court that the prosecution had only one additional day remaining to complete its case.
He further argued that the Supreme Court had already ruled on the substantive interlocutory application concerning proceedings during the legal vacation. According to him, simply filing a review application does not automatically stop an ongoing court case.
Presiding Judge Justice Francis Apanga Achibonga said he had found no legal rule requiring the trial to be suspended under the circumstances.
The judge noted that although the earlier Supreme Court ruling had been delivered by a single judge, the decision remained binding unless it was subsequently set aside or reversed.
The court consequently dismissed the defence application for an adjournment, allowing the trial to continue.
Charges Against Kwadwo Adu Boahene and Others
Kwadwo Adu Boahene is standing trial alongside his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, Mildred Donkor and Advantage Solutions Limited.
The accused persons face 11 charges, including conspiracy, stealing, using public office for profit, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
All the accused have pleaded not guilty and are currently on bail.
Previous Dispute Over Trial Proceedings
The latest legal disagreement is part of a series of disputes between the defence and prosecution concerning the pace and conduct of the trial.
In July 2025, the High Court rejected a defence application seeking additional disclosure of National Security operational account records dating back to 1992.
The defence had argued that the documents could contain information relevant to the case and assist the accused persons in preparing their defence.
Following the ruling, Samuel Atta Akyea requested time to study the decision and consider further legal options, including an appeal or an application for a stay of proceedings.
The prosecution opposed the request and maintained that the criminal trial should proceed without unnecessary delays.
At the time, Atta Akyea accused the prosecution of withholding documents and criticised what he described as an accelerated approach to the proceedings.
He has consistently maintained that his legal strategy is aimed at protecting due process and the right to a fair trial, arguing that the justice system should not create a special or accelerated process for selected cases while other matters continue under normal procedures.
Source: newsthemegh.com