Story: News Desk
There was drama at the Accra High Court on Thursday, October 23, when lawyers representing former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director Kwabena Adu Boahene walked out of the courtroom after the trial judge, Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei, refused to grant their request for an adjournment.
Lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea had informed the court that his team had filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to prohibit Justice Nyantei from continuing with the trial, alleging bias. He therefore asked for proceedings to be suspended until the apex court ruled on the matter.
The request was, however, strongly opposed by the prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Esi Dentaa Yankah, who argued that there was no legal basis to halt the proceedings.
“There is no rule of law that says that proceedings must be halted in order for counsel for the accused to be excused to pursue an interlocutory injunction,” she stated.
Ms. Yankah noted that the defence had repeatedly used such tactics to delay the case.
“It seems that the trend is developing that at every given step of this case, one motion or another is filed and a request for stay is made,” she said.
And you have made it abundantly clear and in accordance with established case law that the pendency of an interlocutory matter doesn’t justify the stay of proceedings. In counsel’s instant oral application for stay, he hasn’t made any effort to convince the court of any special reason why today’s proceedings should not continue. I pray that his request, though made, be disregarded so that the case can proceed.”
After hearing both sides, Justice Nyantei ruled that the filing of a prohibition application at the Supreme Court was not enough reason to suspend the ongoing proceedings.
The ruling drew a visible reaction from the defence. Mr. Atta Akyea, appearing displeased, gathered his team and walked out of the courtroom.
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Justice Nyantei further instructed Mr. Adu Boahene to either recall his lawyers to court or proceed to represent himself. The court then went on a brief recess.
When proceedings resumed, the former NSB Director informed the court that he had been unable to reach his legal team and pleaded for an adjournment.
The judge subsequently granted his request and adjourned the case to October 30 for continuation.
Kwabena Adu Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei Boateng, and two others are facing multiple charges, including stealing, money laundering involving an alleged GH¢49.1 million, willfully causing financial loss to the state, and abuse of public office.
The third accused person, Mildred Donkor, has since turned into a prosecution witness after the Attorney-General withdrew charges against her.
