Kwabene Adu Boahene(L), Angela Adjei-Boateng (R) and two others are already facing 11 charges
Details from a press conference and court documents filed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, have revealed an alleged multi-million cedi theft scheme involving a former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahene, and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng.
According to the Attorney General, the couple is accused of orchestrating a complex criminal enterprise that siphoned approximately GH¢111 million of state funds through two separate scandals.
They have been charged alongside a third person, Mildred Donkor, and their company, Advantage Solutions Limited.
$7 million cybersecurity scandal
In the first case, the Attorney General alleges that Mr Adu Boahene, while serving as Director of the NSB, signed a $7 million contract on January 30, 2020, with RLC Holdings Limited, an Israeli company, for the purchase of cyber defense system software.
“Instead of paying the full amount to the intended vendor, only $1.75 million was transferred. The remaining GH¢39.5 million (approx. $5.25 million) was diverted to BNC Communications Bureau Limited, a private company owned by the couple.
“On February 6, 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GH¢27.1 million from the NSB account at Fidelity Bank to a private BNC account at UMB. Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber defense system software. He transferred the money to his private company,” Dr Ayine stated at the press briefing.
Mildred Donkor’s alleged involvement
Mildred Donkor, the third accused, is a former UMB Bank relationship officer for the couple and their company, BNC.
Court filings show she also served as a director for Advantage Solutions Limited, which was allegedly used as a holding company to launder the stolen funds.
“The monies which A1 and A2 moved from the National BNC bank account into the Private BNC’s bank account were paid through a complex web of companies, ultimately owned by A4 (Advantage Solutions),” the AG’s court filing states.
Investigations further revealed that the stolen funds were used to acquire properties in Accra, Kumasi, and London, luxury vehicles, and to fund the couple’s lavish lifestyle.
Despite her denials, Donkor was found to be a director in all companies used in the scheme and actively participated in the day-to-day operations.
Charges filed
The accused face a total of 11 counts in the cybersecurity case.
• Kwabena Adu Boahene: Stealing, defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
• Angela Adjei-Boateng: Conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to commit a crime using public office for profit, and money laundering.
• Mildred Donkor: Conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
• Advantage Solutions Limited: Conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
Second Scandal: GH¢1.5 million monthly loot from Ghana Water Company
In a separate scheme uncovered by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the AG revealed that Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) made monthly payments of up to GH¢1.5 million to Mr. Adu Boahene’s private company, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, for services that were supposed to be delivered by the NSB, a government agency.
“The contract documents stipulated that Ghana Water pay GH¢650,000 every two weeks to the Bureau of National Communications. However, Mr Adu Boahene provided the account details of his private company,” Dr Ayine explained.
Over time, GWCL paid over GH¢62 million to the private company, under the guise of internet service provisions by a state agency.
According to the AG, these payments were made without any verifiable evidence of services rendered.
Dr Ayine confirmed that separate charges will be filed in the coming weeks regarding this second scheme.
GA/MA
