Kwabena Adu Boahen, Wife charged with stealing GHS49m in cybersecurity scandal
The state has filed charges of stealing, defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, conspiracy to commit crime against former National Signals Bureau boss, Kwabena Adu Boahen, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng and two others.
Kwabena Adu Boahen and his wife were arrested on March 20 and March 21 for the alleged diversion of state funds for private gains.
According to the charge sheet, the duo allegedly stole state funds to the tune of GHc 49,100,000.
The other two accused persons are Mildred Donkor, former bank relations officer of Kwabena Adu-Boahen and his wife, and Advantage Solutions Limited, a holding company owned by the first two accused person allegedly used to commit the crimes.
Background
EOCO apprehended the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB) in March upon his arrival at Kotoka International Airport from London aboard a British Airways flight. His wife was later detained when she visited EOCO offices to inquire about his situation.
He stands accused of misappropriating public funds.
Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine disclosed that the arrest is linked to alleged financial irregularities involving a $7 million cyber defence system contract.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, March 24, Dr. Ayine explained that the contract was meant to enhance Ghana’s ability to guard against cyber attacks, data theft, and digital surveillance. However, preliminary investigations indicate that funds earmarked for the initiative were misused.
Dr. Ayine stated that Adu-Boahene, in his capacity as NSB Director, signed the agreement on January 30, 2020, on behalf of both the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of National Security. The contract was with an Israeli company, RLC Holdings Limited, for the delivery of cyber security software.
Despite the critical nature of the contract, the former official is said to have executed unapproved financial transfers.
Just a week after the agreement was signed, on February 6, 2020, he allegedly moved GHS27.1 million from the NSB’s Fidelity Bank account into a private UMB account belonging to BNC—a company he is believed to have jointly established with his wife. The transaction was reportedly disguised as payment for the software.
Authorities claim he later laundered the funds through various real estate acquisitions both in Ghana and overseas.
