The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene was arrested over his alleged involvement in a $7 million cybersecurity contract scandal.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March 24, Dr Ayine revealed that Adu-Boahene who is currently in custody allegedly misappropriated public funds intended for the procurement of a cyber defence system to strengthen Ghana’s digital security capabilities.
According to the Attorney-General, Adu-Boahene, while serving as NSB Director, signed a $7 million contract on January 30, 2020, with Israeli company RLC Holdings Limited for the supply of cyber defence system software. The deal, executed on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the National Security Ministry, was aimed at enhancing the nation’s ability to detect and respond to cyber threats, data breaches, and digital espionage.
However, investigations indicate that Adu-Boahene engaged in unauthorised financial transactions shortly after the agreement was signed. On February 6, 2020, he allegedly transferred GH¢27.1 million from the NSB’s account at Fidelity Bank to a private UMB account belonging to BNC, a company he co-founded with his wife. The transaction was purportedly documented as payment for the cyber defence system software.
Further probes revealed that the funds were not used for the intended government project but were instead funnelled into the private company controlled by Adu-Boahene. Dr Ayine stated that the couple used these funds to acquire multiple landed properties both in Ghana and abroad.
“In his capacity as Director of the National Signals Bureau, Mr Adu-Boahene on January 30, 2020, signed a contract on behalf of the government of Ghana and the National Security on one hand and the other hand, an Israeli company named RLC Holdings Limited. The contract was for the purchase of a cyber defence system software at a price of $7 million.”
“On February 6, 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GH¢27,100,000 from the National Signals Bureau account at Fidelity Bank to a private BNC account at UMB. Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber defence system software. He transferred the money to his private company.”
The Attorney-General confirmed that Adu-Boahene and his wife remain in detention, while efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals linked to the case.
Dr Ayine reaffirmed the government’s resolve to clamp down on financial malfeasance and strengthen accountability systems across public institutions to prevent future occurrences of such misconduct.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
