Adu-Boahene has not requested plea bargain – Atta Akyea
Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has refuted claims that his client has made any attempt to engage in a plea bargaining process with the Attorney General’s office.
Speaking to the media shortly after proceedings at the High Court on Monday, May 26, Mr. Atta Akyea described the circulating reports as “completely unfounded” and reaffirmed the innocence of his client and the latter’s wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, who is also standing trial.
“We have not made any overtures. There is nothing on the table for us to plea bargain. There has been no request—formal or informal—for any plea bargaining from my clients. These rumours are not only misleading but also intended to tarnish the reputation of a man who insists on his innocence and is prepared to clear his name through the judicial process.”
Mr. Atta Akyea further stressed that his clients were confident in the legal process and would contest all charges leveled against them in open court. He cautioned against what he described as “trial by media,” urging the public to allow the court to determine the outcome based on facts and evidence.
He noted that the judge only made the order since it was a variable for the defence to consider.
The case has been adjourned to June 11.
*Court’s order*
The Accra High Court has ordered defence counsel in the case of former Signals Bureau Director and two others not to indulge in any plea bargain agreements until the prosecution has filed and accordingly served them with the full disclosures they will rely on in the case.
In court, Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, pleaded with the court to be given more time to file their disclosures after failing to meet the deadline given by the court.
He explained that the investigator on the matter was temporarily unavailable.
“By the proceedings of the last adjourned date, we were ordered to file our witness statements and disclosures by May 20. However, we couldn’t comply with the deadline because one of our key investigators was indisposed, thus unavailable to sign the relevant documentation,” Dr Srem-Sai posited.
“Our failure to comply with the orders was never deliberate or intentional. We pray you grant us a week’s adjournment. The investigator will be back on Friday,” he added.
*Disclosure ultimatum*
The presiding judge, John Nyadu Nyante, then ordered the disclosures to be filed by June 2. The judge also ordered the lawyers of the accused persons to only engage in plea bargain request with the prosecution after the Attorney-General has filed and served the disclosures to them.
