Accra: An Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by lawyers for Mr. Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal. The application was related to a previous ruling by the court that denied the defence access to additional documents, which they claimed were material and exculpatory evidence necessary for their case.

According to Ghana News Agency, the accused, along with his wife and two others, is facing 11 charges, including stealing, money laundering of GHS49.1 million in state funds, willfully causing financial loss to the state, conspiracy, collaboration to commit crime, and abuse of public office. All parties involved have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr. Samuel Atta-Akyea, counsel for the accused, argued that without access to the requested documents, their clients could not receive a fair trial. As such, he requested that the court stay the ongoing criminal proceedings until the appeal could be heard. However, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General, opposed the application for a stay.

The State contended that the defence had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances necessary for a stay of proceedings. Dr. Srem-Sai pointed out that the materials requested by the defence were either irrelevant or not in possession of the prosecution, which was the basis for the court's earlier decision to refuse further disclosure.

In a related development, Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has withdrawn charges against Mildred Donkor, the third accused, under Section 59 of Act 30. This decision aims to allow the Attorney-General to present Madam Donkor as one of the prosecution witnesses in the case.