EOCO Investigator Pushes Back: ‘We Ran an Independent Probe’ in GH¢49.1m NSB Case

The lead investigator from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in the alleged GH¢49.1 million National Signals Bureau (NSB) case has dismissed claims by the defence that the probe lacked independence and objectivity.

During cross‑examination at the High Court in Accra, counsel for the accused, Samuel Atta‑Akyea, argued that EOCO investigators selectively pursued evidence against the accused persons while ignoring material lines of inquiry that could have supported their innocence.

“I put it to you that you didn’t embark on an independent and open‑minded investigation in this case,” counsel asserted.

The investigator rejected the claim, insisting that the evidence presented was verified and pointed directly to suspicious financial movements.

“My Lord, that is not the case. The documents presented to the court were verified information. Information gathered indicated that A1 moved funds to his personal account. His actions were very suspicious and the claims made were found to be strange,” the witness responded.

Atta‑Akyea pressed further, questioning why investigators failed to interview key National Security officials — including the then National Security Coordinator and the Minister for National Security — who supervised the accounts from which the disputed funds originated.

He argued that any objective investigation into National Security‑related transactions should have begun with the officials responsible for the accounts and operational decisions.

But the investigator maintained that such interviews were unnecessary, saying the probe was anchored on documentary and banking evidence that clearly established the movement of funds. He confirmed that neither the former National Security Coordinator nor the Minister was engaged during the investigation.

He added that transfers linked to purchases from ISCa Holdings did not have the authorisation of the National Security Coordinator.

The witness insisted that all relevant documents and exhibits were handed over to the prosecution and that no material line of inquiry was ignored.

According to him, evidence showed that the first accused — then Director‑General of the Bureau of National Communications (BNC) — transferred GH¢49.1 million from state accounts into other accounts and used part of the funds for personal benefit. He said investigators also found evidence suggesting the second accused benefited from some of the transfers.

He testified that the investigation began after EOCO received a tip‑off alleging that the first accused had moved GH¢49.1 million into his personal account at UMB Bank.

The defence also questioned the chronology of the investigation, suggesting EOCO reached conclusions before obtaining key documents. The investigator disagreed, explaining that requests were sent to multiple institutions — including Fidelity Bank, UMB Bank, and the Ghana Immigration Service — and responses arrived on different dates.

When asked about public comments made by the Attorney‑General at a press conference, the investigator declined to respond, saying his mandate was limited to conducting the investigation.

He confirmed that EOCO maintains a Diary of Action documenting every investigative step, which ordinarily forms part of the duplicate docket submitted to the Attorney‑General. However, he acknowledged that the Diary of Action was not included in the prosecution’s disclosures before the court.

Earlier, the court admitted into evidence the investigator’s witness statement filed on June 2, 2025, along with a supplementary statement filed on June 18, 2025.

The case was adjourned to Tuesday, July 7, for the continuation of cross‑examination.

Background

Former National Signals Bureau Director‑General Kwabena Adu‑Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei Boateng are standing trial over allegations that GH¢49.1 million meant for procuring cyber defence infrastructure was diverted into private accounts and entities. The prosecution says the transfers amounted to misappropriation of public funds, but the accused persons have denied wrongdoing.

— CitiNewsRoom