Accra, Ghana – Former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, are at the center of a major corruption investigation. The Attorney-General (A-G), Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, announced that the couple is being investigated for allegedly diverting GH¢39.46 million (approximately $7 million) into their private company through a questionable cyber-defense software deal for the state.

Details of the Allegations

Dr. Ayine revealed that Kwabena Adu-Boahene was apprehended at Kotoka International Airport upon his return from an international trip with his wife. The A-G outlined a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Adu-Boahene during his tenure as Director-General of the then Bureau of National Communications (BNC) in 2018. According to the A-G, Adu-Boahene and his wife incorporated a private company named “BNC Communication Bureau Limited,” closely resembling the state entity's name. The couple allegedly established a corporate account for their private BNC at Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), granting either of them the authority to sign checks and approve transactions.

In January 2020, Adu-Boahene, acting on behalf of the government and the National Security Council, entered into a $7 million contract with ISC Holdings Ltd, an Israeli company, for the purchase of a “Cyber Defence System.” Dr. Ayine stated that Adu-Boahene then transferred GH¢27.1 million from the state’s BNC Operations Account at Fidelity Bank to his private BNC account at UMB Bank. Documentation indicated that the transfer was purportedly for the software payment to ISC Holdings. Further scrutiny revealed that after the funds were transferred to Adu-Boahene’s private account, GH¢9.53 million was sent to ISC Holdings Ltd. The A-G alleged that Adu-Boahene fraudulently attached a copy of the contract and an invoice to justify the transfer.

Further transfers totaling GH¢1 million and GH¢21 million were made from the state’s BNC Directors’ Account at Fidelity Bank to the same private BNC account in March 2020, again ostensibly for the software purchase. The total transfers into Adu-Boahene’s private company account amounted to GH¢49 million. However, after the initial payment of GH¢9.53 million to ISC Holding, no further payments were made. The remaining GH¢39.46 million allegedly remained with Adu-Boahene and his wife and was used for personal investments, transfers to local third parties, and unknown persons.

Investigations and Further Complications

The A-G noted that investigations revealed that the ultimate Beneficial Owner (BO) of Adu-Boahene’s private BNC Communication Bureau Limited was another company, Advantage Solutions Limited. Ten other companies were linked to Adu-Boahene and his wife through a complex web of shareholding and directorship. Investigators also uncovered movements of large sums of money in both local and foreign currencies across multiple companies under suspicious circumstances. Additionally, proceeds from the suspect’s activities were allegedly used to acquire landed properties and other assets worth more than $2.51 million in Ghana and elsewhere.

Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)

Dr. Ayine stated that the investigation is part of the broader Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative. He added that investigations into the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Skytrain scandals are expected to conclude soon, with prosecutions to follow. In the NSS scandal, evidence has emerged of payments made into the accounts of top executives of the NSS by vendors and staff. There are also claims that a Ghanaian MP was paid to suppress media coverage of the scandal. Regarding the Skytrain project, $2 million was allegedly paid at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the CEO, who is currently evading authorities. The A-G’s office has tracked the CEO to South Africa.

Defense Claims

In response to the allegations, the legal team representing Kwabena Adu-Boahene has refuted the Attorney General’s portrayal of him and his wife as common criminals. Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea issued a statement emphasizing Adu-Boahene's background as a high-ranking official with international connections and his wife's status as a successful businesswoman. The defense also disputed claims that Adu-Boahene traveled in economy class to disguise himself, asserting that he traveled in business class.

The defense clarified that Adu-Boahene was detained at the airport under the pretext of immigration issues and was subsequently handcuffed and taken into custody by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The legal team argued that the manner of his arrest reflected a deliberate attempt at persecution rather than a fair legal process. They have called for fair and free processes, ensuring that justice is served without prejudice or public humiliation.

The case continues to unfold, with significant implications for governance and accountability in Ghana.