“It’s a Legal Lottery”: Atta Akyea Slams Adu-Boahene’s Detention as Unjust

Samuel Atta Akyea, the lawyer representing former National Signals Bureau (NSB) boss Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has fiercely criticised the decision to remand his client, calling it a “legal lottery” and a breach of due process.

Adu-Boahene was placed in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for seven days on May 2, 2025, following a request by Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine.

This remand was based on claims that Adu-Boahene attempted to influence a key prosecution witness in a case involving alleged theft.

In an interview, Atta Akyea expressed outrage over the speculative and prejudicial tactics used by the investigators, accusing the Attorney General of prematurely declaring his client guilty before the investigation had concluded.

“It’s a lottery to say, ‘If I don’t imprison someone, I can’t finish my investigation,’” Atta Akyea remarked, emphasizing the public presumption of guilt that has surrounded the case.

He criticized the ongoing public narrative suggesting suspects are guilty before any proper trial, leading to unjust detentions under the guise of evidence-gathering. “They’re experimenting with their liberty,” he stated, pointing to the arbitrary nature of the process.

The lawyer also questioned the allegations that Adu-Boahene could tamper with witnesses, highlighting that his client has no special access to the work of state agencies. “What power does he have to influence witnesses?” Atta Akyea challenged.

He added that such claims seemed to credit Adu-Boahene with an improbable level of foresight regarding the activities of national security agencies.

Finally, Atta Akyea critiqued the timeline of the investigation, suggesting the delays indicated incompetence.

“It’s self-defeating,” he said, questioning the investigators’ ability to manage their case effectively after such a long period of incarceration.