The Accra High Court has dismissed an application by former Signals Bureau Director-General Kwadwo Adu Boahene seeking to adjourn his trial pending the Supreme Court’s determination of a review application concerning the continuation of selected criminal cases during the legal vacation.
Defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea had asked the court to suspend proceedings until September 2, when the Supreme Court is expected to hear the review application filed by Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
Mr Atta Akyea argued that the Supreme Court’s decision could affect the ongoing trial and that it was therefore prudent to await the outcome. The prosecution, however, opposed the request, noting that it had only one more day to close its case.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Justice Srem-Sai argued that the Supreme Court had already ruled on the substantive matter and that filing a review application did not automatically halt proceedings.
Justice Francis Apanga Achibonga ruled that he had found no legal basis for suspending the trial, stressing that the earlier Supreme Court decision remained binding until it was set aside or reversed.
Mr Adu Boahene is standing trial alongside his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, Mildred Donkor and Advantage Solutions Limited on 11 charges, including conspiracy, stealing, money laundering, using public office for profit and causing financial loss to the state. All the accused persons have pleaded not guilty and are currently on bail.