Former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has been discharged and acquitted on two criminal charges in the ongoing GH¢49.1 million cybersecurity procurement trial.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, however, ordered him to open his defence on the remaining nine counts preferred against him.
The court acquitted and discharged Adu-Boahene on counts five and nine after ruling that the prosecution had failed to adduce sufficient evidence through its witnesses to link him to the alleged offences.
Count five charged him with defrauding by false pretences, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The charge alleged that in early 2020, Adu-Boahene caused the government to part with approximately GH¢49.1 million under the pretext of procuring a cybersecurity system.
Count nine accused him of obtaining public property by false statements, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).
The prosecution alleged that he falsely represented that a cyber defence system was being procured from ISC Holdings Limited to facilitate the acquisition of the GH¢49.1 million.
The court held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to establish Adu-Boahene’s involvement in the two offences.
Meanwhile, his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, is expected to open her defence on counts four, eight, 10 and 11.
Their company, Advantage Solutions, listed as the third accused person (A3) in the case, will also be required to answer counts 10 and 11.
The ruling marks a significant development in the trial, which centres on allegations surrounding the transfer and subsequent disbursement of GH¢49.1 million earmarked for the procurement of a cybersecurity system.
Although Adu-Boahene has secured an acquittal on two counts, he and the other accused persons will still have to respond to the remaining charges against them as the trial moves into the defence stage.
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