'You will cross-examine witness yourselves' — Judge tells Adu-Boahen, wife if lawyers absent next sitting

The High Court in Accra has directed that former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, may be required to continue the cross-examination of a prosecution witness if their lawyers fail to appear at the next sitting.

The directive was issued by the presiding judge, Justice Francis Achibonga, after the couple’s lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, and other members of the defence team were absent from court on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Mr Atta Akyea had informed the Chief Justice in a letter that he would not be available to attend the proceedings during the legal vacation because of prior commitments.

According to him, the Chief Justice’s decision to issue a warrant authorising the trial judge to continue hearing the substantive case during the legal vacation had disrupted plans he had made for the period.

At Tuesday’s sitting, the prosecution team, led by Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Justice Srem-Sai, was present, as were the two accused persons. However, none of their lawyers appeared in court.

When the judge asked about the whereabouts of the defence lawyers, Mr Adu-Boahene said he had been unable to reach some members of the legal team and could not confirm whether Mr Atta Akyea was within the jurisdiction.

Justice Achibonga acknowledged the correspondence sent to the Chief Justice but stressed that the letters did not constitute an order staying proceedings.

The judge nevertheless said it would be fair to adjourn the matter to give the accused persons an opportunity to resolve the issues surrounding their legal representation.

Justice Achibonga cautioned that if Mr Adu-Boahene and his wife appeared at the next sitting without legal representation, the court could require them to continue the cross-examination of the prosecution’s witness themselves.

He further warned that failure to do so could result in the witness’s testimony being closed.

The case has been adjourned to August 17, 2026.