Adu Boahene Trial: Defence Lawyers Walk Out After Judge Rejects Adjournment Request

There was drama at the Accra High Court on Thursday, October 23, 2025, when lawyers representing former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director, Kwabena Adu Boahene, walked out of court after the trial judge refused to grant their request for an adjournment.

Lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea informed the court that his legal team had filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to prohibit Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei from presiding over the case, citing alleged bias.
He therefore requested that proceedings be suspended pending the outcome of the Supreme Court application.

The request, however, was strongly opposed by Principal State Attorney, Esi Dentaa Yankah, who argued that there was no legal basis to halt proceedings.

“There is no rule of law that says proceedings must be halted in order for counsel for the accused to be excused to pursue an interlocutory injunction,” Ms. Yankah stated.

She further accused the defence team of repeatedly using procedural motions to delay the trial.

“It seems to be a developing trend that at every given step of this case, one motion or another is filed and a request for stay is made,” she added.

Justice Nyantei, in his ruling, agreed with the prosecution, holding that the mere filing of a prohibition application at the Supreme Court did not automatically warrant a stay of proceedings.

The ruling visibly angered the defence, prompting Mr. Atta Akyea and his team to walk out of the courtroom in protest.

Unfazed, the judge instructed the prosecution’s second witness — the Director of Finance at the National Signals Bureau — to take the stand and continue her testimony.
Justice Nyantei further directed Mr. Adu Boahene to either recall his lawyers or represent himself.

The court later recessed briefly. Upon resumption, the former NSB boss informed the judge that he had been unable to reach his lawyers and pleaded for an adjournment.

The judge subsequently granted the request and adjourned the case to October 30, 2025, for continuation.

Kwabena Adu Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei Boateng, and two others are facing multiple charges including stealing, money laundering involving GH¢49.1 million, willfully causing financial loss to the state, and abuse of public office.

The third accused, Mildred Donkor, has since turned state witness after the Attorney-General withdrew charges against her.