An investigator from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed that no official from the National Security Council Secretariat or the National Signals Bureau (NSB) reported an alleged GHS 49.1 million theft. Frank Marshall Cromwell, EOCO's fourth and final witness, made this admission to the Accra High Court. This testimony occurred during the ongoing trial involving Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau.
This significant revelation emerged under cross-examination by defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Mr. Cromwell conceded that neither the National Security Council Secretariat nor NSB management had filed a report alleging that Mr. Adu-Boahene unlawfully moved or stole the GHS 49.1 million. This admission casts new light on how the alleged financial misconduct came to EOCO's attention and subsequently led to an investigation.
This development adds a critical layer to Ghana's ongoing efforts to combat financial impropriety within state institutions. The alleged diversion of such a large sum, GHS 49.1 million, highlights persistent concerns about accountability and oversight in public finance management. This case follows a trend of high-profile financial investigations that have drawn public scrutiny and calls for greater transparency in government operations. The lack of an official report from the affected institutions could complicate the prosecution's case and influence public perception of the trial's fairness.
This testimony mirrors earlier statements from Edith Ruby Adumuah, the NSB's head of finance, who also testified that no one from the National Security Council Secretariat reported any stolen money. During cross-examination, Mr. Atta Akyea directly asked Mr. Cromwell if any person from National Security or NSB management reported that Mr. Adu-Boahene moved money without authorisation. Mr. Cromwell responded, “No, my Lord,” confirming the absence of an internal report.
The implications of this admission are substantial for the prosecution's case and the broader legal landscape. The defence is using this testimony to challenge EOCO's interpretation of the financial transactions. They argue that the movement of funds may not constitute theft or dissipation of public money if no official complaint was made. This could lead to a re-evaluation of the evidence and the legal strategy employed by the prosecution. Decision-makers and financial markets will closely watch the trial's progression, as its outcome could influence investor confidence and public trust in Ghana's governance structures.
Furthermore, Mr. Cromwell admitted that EOCO had not obtained specific documentation from the National Security Coordinator's office. These documents would typically explain the authorisation or purpose of the three cheques involved in the case. The cheques were for GHS 27.1 million, GHS 1 million, and GHS 21 million, totalling the alleged GHS 49.1 million. He conceded that EOCO found no request memos, payment vouchers, or other authorisations related to these cheques. Mr. Cromwell also stated he could not identify any specific request made to the NSB for these crucial documents, further weakening the prosecution's narrative regarding the alleged theft. The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 11:30 am.