Bring your lawyers to court, or cross-examine the witness yourselves – Judge tells Adu-Boahene, wife

Former National Signals Bureau head Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, face a deadline from Accra High Court Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga. The judge instructed them to either bring their lawyers to the next sitting or cross-examine the final prosecution witness themselves. This ultimatum came after their lead lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, and his team failed to attend the August 11 court session.

Adu-Boahene claimed he had trouble reaching Akyea, who was reportedly outside the country examining exam scripts. Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, argued that defence lawyers had written to higher authorities demanding the right to skip court during a legal vacation, but the judge maintained that only the Chief Justice can decide on such matters.

Neither of the defense letters provided a valid reason for the absence, according to the judge. Achibonga decided to give the defendants more time to resolve their legal representation issue, and adjourned the case to August 17. If the lawyers still do not show up, the accused must question the witness themselves or risk the witness being dismissed.

The trial, which began on August 11, involves Adu-Boahene, his wife, Mildred Donkor, and a company called Advantage Solutions Limited, all charged with 11 counts including conspiracy, theft, misuse of government position for personal gain, money laundering, and financial loss to the state. They all deny the charges and are currently on bail.