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Accra High Court admits WhatsApp messages as evidence in Adu-Boahene trial, challenging prosecution's claims
via GhanaWeb9 min read
An Accra High Court has made significant rulings in the trial of Republic v Kwabena Adu-Boahene, former Director-General of the NSB, admitting key evidence that supports the defense's case regarding the operational use of funds. During cross-examination, Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, Head of Finance at the National Signals Bureau and a prosecution witness, conceded that large cash withdrawals, including those made in her name and other national security operatives, were for official operational purposes and not personal gain. The court overruled objections from the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, and admitted WhatsApp communications between the witness and the accused into evidence. The judge determined that the witness's acknowledgment of her phone number and message exchanges with the accused met the admissibility requirements under the Electronic Transactions Act. These messages included requests from the witness for funds to support operational activities, such as logistics and field expenses. Defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea argued that the pattern of withdrawals, corroborated by bank records and electronic communications, consistently indicated operational expenditure within the national security framework. The case has been adjourned to April 27, 28, and 29, 2026, for further cross-examination.
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Must ReadSouth Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has refuted claims made by Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, regarding Ghanaians injured in recent xenophobic unrest. Ablakwa stated in a June 6, 2026 interview that at least 15 Ghanaians sustained severe injuries, with one female victim remaining in critical condition, and that there was a willingness to compensate for harm caused. Lamola, reacting on X on the same date, said his ministry had not received official information confirming such figures and described Ablakwa's interview as "deeply disappointing" and "replete with misinformation." He noted that Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa had not formally communicated any such cases to his office. Lamola also challenged claims that two Nigerians and five Mozambicans were killed in the attacks, stating that no Nigerian national has been confirmed dead and that while two Mozambican nationals' deaths are under investigation, the claim of five is untrue. He emphasized the importance of accurate reporting and verified information.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently operationalize several completed health facilities in the Ashanti Region to reduce pressure on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital KATH. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee, stated that congestion and bed shortages at KATH are due to delays in bringing key hospitals into full operation. The Minority highlighted the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua, the Afari Military Hospital, the Trede District Hospital, and the Kokoben-Oforikrom District Hospital as facilities intended to ease KATH's burden. They noted that the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital was operationalized and the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua was substantially completed under the previous administration. The caucus expressed difficulty understanding why the government would suspend a hospital CEO rather than accelerate the full operationalization of these facilities. They also pointed out that the 100-bed Trede and Kokoben-Oforikrom district hospitals, commissioned in 2024, remain largely non-operational. The Minority argued that these delays have worsened pressure on KATH and contributed to the "No Bed Syndrome," urging the government to immediately operationalize all completed hospitals and address systemic challenges identified by healthcare professionals.
Must ReadA second group of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at Accra International Airport. This evacuation follows escalating xenophobic tensions in South Africa. A video shared online shows one evacuee being assisted onto a stretcher and into an ambulance upon arrival in Accra, where officials and health personnel received the returnees. This group is part of the government's ongoing evacuation efforts for Ghanaians affected by renewed anti-immigrant attacks and insecurity in parts of South Africa. The government had previously approved the evacuation of hundreds of Ghanaians who registered with the country's High Commission in Pretoria after reports of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals.