Former MP for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has vehemently critiqued the defense presented by ex-National Signals Bureau head, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, in the ongoing GH¢49.1 million case, labeling it as ‘hollow’ and deficient in credibility.
During his appearance on Channel One TV, he voiced his dissatisfaction with the legal approach taken by Adu-Boahene’s team, specifically criticizing his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, for permitting his client to issue a public statement before the court proceedings had officially commenced.
“It is very unfortunate, and my old classmate, lawyer Atta Akyea, did not do well. As a lawyer, I think in situations like this, you do not allow such things, because this could be one of your defenses in court. You have already allowed the ordinary people who are not lawyers to virtually dismantle your defense. I thought that he would have been advised to keep quiet until the case starts… unfortunately, he allowed his client to make such a statement.”
He expressed concerns regarding the content of Adu-Boahene’s letter, which was addressed to the National Security Coordinator and made available to the media on Wednesday, May 7.
The letter aimed to clarify the allocation of the disputed GH¢49.1 million for various operational activities, including purported payments to Members of Parliament, an opposition party, and an aide to the then President-elect.
“When you look at the statement, it is so hollow, it is not defensible, because the timelines do not work out, and also the excuses and the sort of agencies, institutions, he claimed he had financed some of the things, you may not even have evidence to back it. Most of these transactions are not covered by documents that people will sign, because of the way they’re done. So I feel sad for the young man,” he said.