The Supreme Court has dismissed an application filed by the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, seeking to prohibit Justice John Eugene Nyadu Nyante from presiding over their ongoing criminal trial.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, a five-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Avril Lovelace Johnson, ruled that the motion had no merit and failed to meet the legal threshold required to justify the disqualification of a sitting judge.
According to the panel, the allegations of bias and claims of “special extrajudicial interest” made against Justice Nyante were unsubstantiated, and the applicants did not demonstrate any real likelihood of bias to warrant the issuance of a prohibition order.
Background
The dismissed application, filed through their counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, accused Justice Nyante of showing bias and undue interest in the case by scheduling long hearing sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., allegedly acting under pressure from the Attorney-General.
The couple argued that such conduct and previous rulings of the judge demonstrated a predisposition against their defence, thereby infringing their constitutional right to a fair trial under Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution.
However, the Supreme Court held that the applicants failed to provide credible evidence to support these claims, emphasizing that judicial case management decisions such as hearing schedules and procedural rulings do not, in themselves, amount to bias.
Charges against the Accused
Mr. Adu-Boahene and his wife are facing multiple criminal charges for their alleged involvement in the diversion of GH₵49 million intended for the procurement of software for the state.
Prosecutors allege that the funds were channelled through a complex web of companies connected to Advantage Solutions Ltd (ASL)—a private entity purportedly owned by the couple. Mr. Adu-Boahene has pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for personal gain, and obtaining public property by false pretences.
His wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, is also standing trial for collaboration to use public office for personal gain, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the criminal trial before Justice Nyadu Nyante at the High Court (General Jurisdiction 10) is expected to resume on Thursday.
