The State has filed witness statements in the ongoing criminal trial involving the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, their associate Mildred Boateng, and their jointly owned company, Adantage Solutions Limited.
The four accused are facing multiple charges including conspiracy, stealing, and causing financial loss to the state, in connection with an alleged diversion of GH¢49.1 million in public funds.
According to court documents obtained by Channel One News, the prosecution has submitted witness statements from three key individuals: lead investigator Frank Marshall Cromwell, NSB Director of Finance Edith Ruby Opokua Adumua, and Frank Anane Dekpey, a personal aide described as an “errand assistant” to the accused.
Alleged Cybersecurity Scheme
In his statement, investigator Frank Cromwell alleged that the accused orchestrated a fraudulent scheme under the guise of procuring a cybersecurity defence system. The plan, he said, was spearheaded by Adu-Boahene—referred to in court as A1—who, in his role as head of the Bureau of National Communications (BNC), signed a $7 million contract with Israeli firm ISC Holdings Limited on January 30, 2020.
Cromwell claims that although the full amount—equivalent to GH¢49.1 million at the time—was withdrawn from a government account at Fidelity Bank and funneled into a UMB Bank account labeled “BNC Communications Bureau – Operations,” only GH¢9.5 million was eventually paid to ISC Holdings.
The UMB account, according to the investigator, was under the direct control of Adu-Boahene and his wife. On March 2, 2023, the couple allegedly co-signed a letter directing UMB Bank to close all BNC-related accounts and transfer remaining funds to an account held by Adantage Solutions Limited, the fourth accused party.
NSB Finance Director Details Transactions
Edith Ruby Adumua, the NSB’s Director of Finance, corroborated several key financial transactions in her statement. She explained that while some accounts followed strict approval procedures, operational accounts at the NSB were largely under the control of Adu-Boahene and the then National Security Coordinator, the late Joshua Kyeremeh.
Adumua recalled being verbally instructed to issue high-value cheques, including a GH¢27.1 million cheque on February 6, 2020, and subsequent cheques totaling GH¢22 million. These cheques were deposited into the UMB Bank account allegedly linked to the private company owned by the accused couple.
Though she admitted noticing inconsistencies, Adumua said the Bureau’s restrictive “need-to-know” culture prevented her from challenging the transactions. She also noted seeing a $7 million invoice from ISC Holdings and confirmed that at least $3.11 million was legitimately paid to the Israeli firm—though she clarified that this payment is not directly connected to the current charges.
Assistant Describes Cash Movements
The third witness, Frank Anane Dekpey, a church member of Adu-Boahene and his self-described assistant, gave a vivid account of cash-handling practices allegedly carried out at the behest of the accused. Dekpey testified that he frequently withdrew and delivered large sums of cash using oversized “Ghana Must Go” bags, following instructions from Mildred Boateng.
Though unaware of the exact amounts, Dekpey claimed he was often pre-cleared by bank staff and handed sealed envelopes, which he delivered to Adu-Boahene’s Labone office near Metro TV.
He added that while he never opened the envelopes, he was routinely required to sign logbooks and provide his contact information at the banks involved.
Next Steps
The State’s submission of witness statements marks a critical stage in what is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile financial crimes trials in recent memory.
The court is expected to proceed with substantive hearings following a review of the evidence.
The accused have denied all charges.
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