Lead counsel for former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, has filed a submission of no case to answer, arguing that the prosecution has not presented enough evidence to require the accused persons to open their defence.
The application was filed after the prosecution closed its case in the trial involving Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, and Advantage Solutions Limited.
Defence Challenges Prosecution’s Evidence
The defence argues that the evidence presented by the State contains significant gaps and inconsistencies and does not establish a sufficient connection between the accused persons and the alleged misuse of GH¢49.1 million earmarked for a cybersecurity project.
According to the prosecution’s case, the GH¢49.1 million was transferred through three cheques from an account associated with National Security into an account belonging to BNC Communications Bureau Limited, a company allegedly linked to the accused persons.
The State alleges that the funds were subsequently diverted and spent on activities unrelated to the intended cybersecurity procurement.
Defence Questions Traceability of GH¢49.1m
Samuel Atta Akyea has challenged aspects of the prosecution’s evidence concerning the transactions, particularly the circumstances surrounding the transfer of the funds and whether the disputed amount can be directly traced to assets or expenditure attributed to the accused persons.
The defence has also raised questions about what it describes as inconsistencies in the testimony of prosecution witnesses.
According to the defence, these issues create doubts about the prosecution’s ability to establish the allegations against the accused persons to the required legal standard.
Defence Raises Issue of Missing Witnesses
A key element of the no-case submission is the defence’s argument that the prosecution failed to call certain witnesses considered important to understanding the management, authorisation and movement of the funds.
The defence contends that the absence of these witnesses leaves important questions unanswered regarding the disputed GH¢49.1 million cybersecurity project funds.
The court will consider the arguments contained in the no-case submission as the legal proceedings continue.
Adu-Boahene and Co-Accused Plead Not Guilty
Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Angela Adjei-Boateng and Advantage Solutions Limited have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The charges include stealing, conspiracy to steal, defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit and money laundering.
The submission of no case to answer forms part of the ongoing Ghana court proceedings in the case, with the defence seeking to have the accused persons discharged on the basis that the prosecution has not established a case requiring them to mount a defence.
Source: newsthemegh.com