Former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu Boahen was arrested on March 20, 2025, upon his arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra after a flight from London Heathrow.
Arrest and Detention of Kwabena Adu Boahen: Key Details
Former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu Boahen was arrested on March 20, 2025, upon his arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra after a flight from London Heathrow. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) executed the arrest, which followed months of investigations into alleged financial crimes linked to his tenure as head of the National Signals Bureau (NSB).
Allegations and Charges against Adu Boahen
Adu Boahen faces accusations of diverting $7 million allocated for cybersecurity infrastructure into personal accounts and shell companies. Key allegations include:
- Unauthorized transfers: On February 6, 2020, he allegedly moved GH¢27.1 million (equivalent to $7 million at the time) from the NSB’s Fidelity Bank account to his private company, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, under the guise of purchasing cyber defense software from an Israeli firm, RLC Holdings Limited.
- Embezzlement: Investigations suggest he and his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, embezzled up to GH¢39 million through fraudulent transactions.
- Shell companies: The couple allegedly created 10 companies, including Advantage Solutions Limited, to launder funds.
Legal and Investigative Developments
- Bail conditions: Adu Boahen’s wife was granted bail with stringent terms, including a GH¢160 million bond and property verification. However, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine advised EOCO to detain Adu Boahen due to new intelligence.
- Asset tracking: The Financial Intelligence Centre is monitoring bank accounts linked to Adu Boahen and his companies, with warnings issued to banks against facilitating asset transfers.
- Dual citizenship concerns: Authorities suspect Adu Boahen may have acquired a foreign passport using illicit wealth, in addition to his Ghanaian and British passports.
Political and Legal Reactions
- Criticism of arrest: Alexander Afenyo-Markin, a member of Parliament, condemned the arrest as “political persecution,” arguing it undermines democratic principles.
- Defense response: Adu Boahen’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, accused the Attorney General of bypassing due process by resorting to “public opinion courts”.
- Government stance: Dr. Ayine emphasized that Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) aims to reclaim state resources and ensure accountability.
Broader Implications
The case highlights Ghana’s intensified efforts to combat high-level corruption, with EOCO and the Attorney General’s office collaborating to recover stolen assets and prosecute offenders. However, debates persist about balancing transparency with due process, particularly amid political tensions.
For now, Adu Boahen remains in custody as investigations continue, with further legal proceedings expected to unfold in the coming weeks