The Accra High Court has refused a request by former Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene to pause his ongoing trial until the Supreme Court determines a review application filed by Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

Mr Adu-Boahene’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, had asked the court to adjourn the case until September 2, when a three-member Supreme Court panel is scheduled to hear the review application.

The defence argued that the Supreme Court’s decision could affect the continuation of the High Court proceedings and, therefore, the trial should be put on hold until the apex court settles the matter.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that there was no legal basis for suspending the trial merely because a review application had been filed.

Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that the prosecution was only one day away from completing its case.

He further argued that the Supreme Court had already ruled on the substantive interlocutory application concerning the hearing of selected cases during the legal vacation, and that the filing of a review application did not automatically stay the effect of that decision.

Judge rules against adjournment

After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Francis Apanga Achibonga dismissed the defence application.

The judge said he had not found any rule that required the proceedings to be suspended pending the outcome of the review application.

Justice Achibonga noted that although the earlier Supreme Court ruling had been delivered by a single justice, the decision remained binding unless it was subsequently overturned or set aside.

The court consequently directed that the trial should continue.

Adu-Boahene faces 11 charges

Mr Adu-Boahene is standing trial together with his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, Mildred Donkor and Advantage Solutions Limited.

They are facing 11 charges, including conspiracy, stealing, using public office for profit, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.

All the accused persons have pleaded not guilty and are currently on bail.

The latest application is part of a series of disagreements between the defence and prosecution over the conduct and pace of the trial.

In July 2025, the High Court also rejected a defence request for additional disclosure of National Security operational account records dating back to 1992.

The defence had argued that the records could contain information relevant to its case.

Following that ruling, Mr Atta Akyea sought time to study the decision and consider further legal action, including an appeal or an application for a stay of proceedings.

The prosecution opposed the request and urged the court to proceed with the trial.

At the time, Mr Atta Akyea accused the prosecution of withholding documents and insisted that he would not accept what he described as an “ambulance trial.”

The lawyer has maintained that his approach is aimed at protecting due process and ensuring that his client receives a fair hearing.