Accra: Former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene is 'very, very comfortable' with his legal representation and is not in a hurry to cross-examine a prosecution witness himself, according to his lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea. Speaking on TV3, Atta Akyea expressed confidence in his legal team after the High Court directed that Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, should appear with their lawyers on August 17 or face the prospect of cross-examining the fourth prosecution witness themselves.
According to Ghana Web, Atta Akyea emphasized his client's trust in his legal prowess, stating, "He feels very, very comfortable with me. He believes I'm a very principle-centred lawyer. He believes I won't shortchange him and he is not in any ambulance mode to cross-examine as a layperson, a prosecution witness." The lawyer highlighted that the defence team would determine its next steps in navigating the situation following the judge's directive.
Atta Akyea questioned the expectation that his client should personally take over the cross-examination process. He asked rhetorically, "How can a judge tell a carpenter to become a dentist and remove somebody's tooth? How?" The lawyer assured that the legal strategy would remain confidential, stating, "We will advise ourselves. We will not put our legal arsenals in public but we'll advise ourselves. We know what to do."
He also insisted that the defence would not be compelled to attend court against their stance on the legal vacation, asserting, "We will not be compelled to go to court, for Christ sake!" He added, "This is not the first time we've had a Chief Justice, I'm afraid."
The High Court, presided by Justice Francis Achibonga, adjourned the case to August 17 after the defence lawyers failed to appear. Justice Achibonga emphasized that his authority to sit during the legal vacation remains valid unless revoked by the Chief Justice. However, he allowed Adu-Boahene and his wife time to resolve their legal representation, noting it would be unfair to require them to cross-examine the witness without their lawyers. He warned that if the lawyers do not appear at the next sitting, the accused might have to conduct the cross-examination themselves, or the fourth prosecution witness could be discharged.