Adu-Boahene Trial Judge Insists On Legal Vacation Hearing

Kwabena Adu-Boahene, a Court of Appeal Justice, presiding as a High Court judge in the trial of National Signals Bureau Director General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, has announced his intention to continue hearing the case during the legal vacation until Chief Justice revokes the warrant. He has warned the couple that if their lawyers do not appear on August 17, the judge will conduct the cross-examination, leading to the witness being discharged.

The couple attended the court yesterday without their lawyers, with Adu-Boahene expressing difficulty in reaching his lead counsel, Samuel Atta-Akyea. He has asked the court for additional time to resolve the legal team issue. The couple faces charges of stealing GH¢49.1 million from the state. The trial was adjourned to August 11 to 13 for the defense counsel to complete the cross-examination of prosecution's fourth witness, Frank Marshall Cromwell.

Atta-Akyea had written to the Chief Justice to revoke the warrant, arguing the existence of "two criminal justice delivery systems" and the risk of "selective justice." The Deputy Attorney General (DAG) stated that court proceedings during the legal vacation are determined by the Chief Justice, and lawyers must make individual prayers for adjournment if they have genuine reasons.

Judge Achibonga stated that the letters cannot halt proceedings and ruled that he will continue sitting until the warrant is revoked, but urged the accused to find alternative ways for the defense counsel to appear.