Adu-Boahene Trial: EOCO investigator admits cyber defence narrative was inferred from forex request

The lead investigator at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Frank Marshal Cromwell, in the ongoing trial of former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has admitted before the Accra High Court that his conclusion that the controversial GH¢49.1 million was intended for a cyber defence system was based on his understanding and assumption that officials of the then Bureau of National Communications (BNC) had approached Fidelity Bank to request foreign exchange.

Cromwell, who is the prosecution's fourth and final witness, made the disclosure under cross-examination by counsel for the accused, Samuel Atta Akyea, on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Pressed repeatedly to identify evidence linking the entire GH¢49.1 million to the procurement of a cyber defence system, the EOCO investigator conceded that the Fidelity Bank report did not expressly state that the signatories had informed the bank they intended to undertake an international transaction.

Instead, he told the court that EOCO's understanding was that the request for foreign exchange implied an international transaction relating to the cyber defence system.

“Our understanding of the forex transaction indicated it was in respect of an international transaction,” Cromwell testified.

He maintained that because National Security sought foreign exchange and later transferred the funds from Fidelity Bank to UMB Bank, investigators concluded that the money was intended for the cyber defence project.

The case has been adjourned to Monday, July 27, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness.