‘I wanted them expunged’ – Atta Akyea reacts to ruling in Adu-Boahene trial

Former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene's counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, expressed satisfaction that the prosecution did not dispute his claim that certain statements it attributed to witnesses were false, despite the High Court's decision not to expunge them. Akyea was pleased that the Attorney-General's side had not challenged his facts and noted that the judge would differentiate between truth and falsehood.

He had brought the matter to the court's attention, and he believed that the judge would address any inaccuracies in the evidence and witness attributions.

Akyea explained the necessity of his application, stating that it was crucial for the court to recognize that a lawyer had identified and brought to light false information in the Attorney General's written submissions. He acknowledged that the court acknowledged his points, but insisted that the falsehoods should not be presented alongside the truth, particularly when the accused had already raised the alleged misrepresentation in their response to the prosecution's submissions.

Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General, argued against the application, asserting that the court does not have the power to expunge parts of a written address if the opposing side disputes its accuracy. The court dismissed the application on October 29, 2026, stating that written submissions cannot replace evidence and that the case would be judged solely on testimony and admitted exhibits. The final ruling on the no-case submission is expected on November 5, 2026.