The Presiding Judge in the trial of former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, and two others, Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, has directed defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea to complete his cross-examination of the fourth and final prosecution witness, Frank Marshal Cromwell, within two days.
The directive was issued after the close of proceedings on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Special Court 1 of the Accra High Court, where Mr Atta Akyea was continuing his cross-examination of Mr Cromwell, the lead investigator of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Mr Atta Akyea had pleaded with the court for additional time to complete his questioning, explaining that he still had about 40 per cent of the issues he intended to cover with the witness.
The defence lawyer argued that the remaining areas were important to his client’s case and required adequate time to properly address through cross-examination.
Defence counsel argued that, due to the elasticity of the prosecution’s allegations, he needs to demolish all their theories and therefore needs ample time to do in the interest of justice and fair trial.
However, Justice Achibonga granted him only two more days to bring the exercise to an end.
The court’s decision means Mr Atta Akyea will have to complete the remaining 40 per cent of his cross-examination within approximately four hours of sitting time, considering that proceedings involving the witness have generally lasted about two hours per sitting.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, July 30, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness. The sitting forms part of the two days granted by the court to Mr Atta Akyea to conclude his cross-examination.
