By Collins Sarkodieh 
The Kwabena Adu-Boahene trial reached a critical turning point on May 5, 2026, as witness Mildred Donkor exposed a complex web of unauthorized bank transfers. Donkor’s testimony detailed how millions of cedis were moved under the guise of “loan disbursements” to Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, the Head of Finance.
This high-profile case involves the alleged diversion of GH¢49.1 million in public funds originally intended for a state cyber defense system. Investigators claim the procurement was a front for a massive theft and conspiracy scheme that has now landed the former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General in court.
As the prosecution builds its case, the focus has shifted to the digital and physical paper trails left behind by the accused. The testimony from Donkor, who was previously a co-accused but is now testifying for the state, provides an inside look at how state funds were allegedly manipulated through private companies like Advantage Solutions Limited.
How were the millions transferred in the Adu-Boahene scandal?
According to witness Mildred Donkor, funds were transferred into Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s personal account and subsequently funneled to the Head of Finance as “loans.” These transfers were reportedly executed based on direct instructions from Adu-Boahene and his associates, often framed with the phrase, “they said they wanted a loan”.
Donkor testified that Advantage Solutions Limited was used as the vehicle to arrange these purported loans. By framing the transfers as disbursements, the accused allegedly created a layer of administrative legitimacy to move large sums of state money into private hands.
The witness admitted that she was instructed by the primary accused (A1) and occasionally the second accused (A2) to facilitate these payments. This centralized command structure is a central pillar of the prosecution’s argument that the diversion was a calculated, top-down conspiracy.
Why did witness Mildred Donkor keep secret records of the transfers?
Mildred Donkor testified that she kept detailed records and spreadsheets of every withdrawal because she understood that legitimate loans required repayment and reconciliation. Recognizing the unusual nature of the transactions, she maintained a personal ledger to track the movement of money to Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah.
During the proceedings on May 5, 2026, Donkor confirmed that a spreadsheet presented by the Deputy Attorney-General matched her personal records. This document has now been formally tendered as evidence, providing the court with a concrete timeline of the alleged financial misconduct.
Donkor explained to the court that she informed Adumuah directly about the record-keeping, justifying it as a necessary step for the reconciliation process. This foresight by the witness has provided the prosecution with a “smoking gun” that links the accused to the specific amounts and dates of the transfers.
What are the specific charges against Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife?
Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, and Mildred Donkor face multiple counts including stealing, conspiracy, and causing financial loss to the state. The charges stem from the disappearance of GH¢49.1 million that was meant for the procurement of a cyber defense system for the National Signals Bureau.
The core of the prosecution’s case is that the cyber defense system, for which the funds were supposedly paid, was never delivered to the state. This makes the entire procurement process a suspected sham designed to facilitate the diversion of public resources.
Advantage Solutions Limited, a company linked to the accused, is also central to the trial as the entity through which the fraudulent loan arrangements were reportedly managed. The inclusion of Adu-Boahene’s wife in the charges suggests that the alleged theft was a family-coordinated effort to siphon state wealth.
Factual Insights into the Kwabena Adu-Boahene Scandal:
- Total Amount Diverted: The trial centers on the alleged theft of GH¢49.1 million in public funds.
- The “Loan” Cover: Transfers were described to the witness as “loan disbursements” arranged by Advantage Solutions Limited.
- Key Evidence: A spreadsheet detailing all withdrawals made by the Head of Finance was tendered as evidence on May 5, 2026.
- The “Phantom” System: Investigators claim the cyber defense system intended for the NSB was never delivered.
- Witness Status: Mildred Donkor, originally a co-accused, has turned prosecution witness to expose the internal mechanics of the transfers.
- Primary Accused: The case involves the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (formerly BNI).
- Instruction Source: Donkor testified that instructions for the transfers came primarily from “A1” (Adu-Boahene) and “A2”.
Who are the other key figures testifying in this trial?
The prosecution’s case relies on testimonies from several high-ranking officials and investigators, including lead investigator Frank Marshall Cromwell. Additionally, Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah (NSB Director of Finance) and Frank Anane Dekpey are listed as key witnesses.
Frank Anane Dekpey has been described in court documents as an “errand assistant” to the accused persons, likely providing insight into the physical movement of documents or cash. The involvement of the Director of Finance as a witness is particularly significant given that her account was the destination for many of the disputed transfers.
The combined testimony of these figures aims to show a pattern of behavior where the former Director-General bypassed standard financial protocols. By using “errand assistants” and private accounts, the accused allegedly hoped to avoid the scrutiny of the Auditor-General.
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What does this trial mean for Ghana’s National Signals Bureau?
The scandal has cast a shadow over the National Signals Bureau (NSB), formerly the BNI, by suggesting that its highest leadership was involved in financial malpractice. The diversion of funds meant for “cyber defense” is especially concerning given the increasing importance of digital security for national stability.
If the allegations are proven true, it means that the very institution responsible for protecting the state’s intelligence was left vulnerable because its procurement budget was stolen. This trial serves as a test for Ghana’s judicial system to hold high-ranking intelligence officials accountable for the management of sensitive public funds.
The trial also highlights the risks associated with “Advantage Solutions” type entities private companies that act as intermediaries for state procurement. Strengthening the oversight of these third-party contractors is likely to become a major focus for future administrative reforms in the wake of this GH¢49.1 million scandal.
What are the next legal steps in the Adu-Boahene case?
Following the submission of Mildred Donkor’s spreadsheet as evidence, the defense is expected to cross-examine her to challenge the validity of her records. The court will continue to hear from the remaining listed witnesses to verify the timeline of the “phantom” cyber defense system procurement.
The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the GH¢49.1 million was intentionally diverted and that the cyber defense system was a fabrication. As more financial records are tendered, the legal battle will likely focus on the “loan” justification and whether the accused had the authority to authorize such disbursements.
The outcome of this trial could set a major precedent for anti-corruption efforts in Ghana, particularly regarding the “causing financial loss to the state” charge. For the Ghanaian public, the priority is not just a verdict, but the potential recovery of the millions that were supposed to protect the nation’s digital borders.