Adu Boahene has not requested plea bargaining – Atta Akyea insists

Samuel Atta Akyea, Lead counsel for the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has dismissed reports suggesting that his client is pursuing a plea bargain with the Attorney-General’s Department.

In an interview on Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV, Samuel Atta Akyea stated unequivocally that neither he nor his client has initiated any plea negotiations.

“No, I don’t know whose invention that is [plea bargaining]. The one prosecuting you has not laid bare, if you like, that incriminating evidence, which will filter through the witness statement. And then you know that, by what is staring at you in the face, you better go and plead bargaining with the Attorney General.

“The content and the raw material for the prosecution will filter through the witness statement. They were supposed to have filed it on June 2, but they didn’t file it. I don’t know if they will file it on June 3, and then you look at it. So, whoever is pushing for plea bargaining, I don’t know. This is not coming from my client,” he stated.

His remarks come after the State on June 3 filed witness statements in the ongoing criminal trial involving Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, their associate Mildred Boateng, and their company, Adantage Solutions Limited. The four are facing multiple charges including stealing, conspiracy, and causing financial loss to the state.

The witness statements, submitted by the prosecution, include testimonies from Frank Marshall Cromwell (lead investigator), Edith Ruby Opokua Adumua (NSB’s Director of Finance), and Frank Anane Dekpey (an alleged errand assistant to the accused).

Adu-Boahene was initially remanded on May 2 over claims of witness tampering. His lawyer later told the court that he had been rearrested on a separate issue once the initial remand expired.

Atta Akyea also reiterated that his clients are confident in their defence and are committed to contesting the charges in open court. He noted that the court has made no ruling on any plea bargain and had only stated that it could be considered once full disclosures are provided by the prosecution.

On May 26, the Accra High Court directed the defence team to refrain from entering plea negotiations until the prosecution has completed its disclosure obligations. Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai requested more time due to the unavailability of a key investigator.

The case has been adjourned to June 11.