Lawyer for Adu Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, has strongly criticized the handling of his client’s case, arguing that the Attorney General’s public comments have prejudiced the legal process. Speaking in an interview on Joy News, he expressed concerns over the restrictive bail conditions and alleged breaches of lawyer-client confidentiality.
According to him, the Attorney General is engaging in professional misconduct by pronouncing his client guilty in the court of public opinion. He further accused the Attorney General of overstepping legal boundaries by discussing plea bargaining without first obtaining his client’s statement.
Addressing the issue of bail, the lawyer for Adu Boahene revealed that his client and his wife, Angela Adjei, remain in custody. Describing the situation, he lamented, “They can tell you, go and bring the whole of the United Kingdom and if they are not satisfied, say, go and add us to all the houses in America.”
Concerns Over Due Process and Justice System Integrity
The lawyer for Adu Boahene also raised serious concerns over the treatment of his clients, highlighting the violation of their right to confidential legal counsel. He claimed that officials from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) were present during private legal consultations, an act he described as a breach of the Evidence Act.
“ the whole idea is that, let EOCO officials stand by while I interrogate my clients so that they listen into a confidential engagement. But if that is true, that is against the Evidence Act,” lawyer for Adu Boahene emphasized.
Adding to his concerns, he disclosed that despite efforts to engage with Deputy EOCO Executive Director Raymond Archer, he was kept waiting for over two hours without being granted an audience.
“My clients have exceeded the 48-hour rule and are still behind bars,” he said, calling the situation a travesty of justice.
Allegations of Media Bias and Public Prejudice
In a further attack on the Attorney General’s handling of the case, the lawyer for Adu Boahene questioned the role of the media in shaping public perception against his client. He argued that the Attorney General is using media narratives to pressure his clients rather than allowing due process to take its course.
“The Attorney General is a court of law and a prosecutor at the same time. How can you say that I have not taken the statements of suspects and you are talking about plea bargaining? This is the first time I’m hearing this. This is a travesty of justice,” the lawyer for Adu Boahene questioned. He further added, I’m unable to communicate with my clients. Because I’ll be sent to the General Legal Council if I’m having a tete-a-tete with my client. And guess what? An official vehicle is listening to our conversation and we are being recorded.”
He further condemned the portrayal of his client as a criminal before any formal charges were filed. Where in the world is a man pronounced guilty before, I mean, sent to the Court?” he questioned.
The lawyer for Adu Boahene also rejected suggestions from legal experts that the Attorney General’s actions were merely part of a transparent judicial process.
Next Legal Steps and Defense Strategy
With his clients still in detention, the lawyer for Adu Boahene confirmed that his legal team is considering moving to court to challenge the restrictive bail conditions. He maintained that the process must be fair and not subject to arbitrary decisions by law enforcement.
“Our options are that you have their liberty in terms of the 48-hour rule in the Constitution. And then, when they post bail, not to them, but to the court, I can have them, and then we see how we use the law to assist them in terms of the international shame they brought to bear on them,” he stated.
Samuel Atta Akyea, the lawyer for Adu Boahene, dismissed outright the suggestion of a plea bargain. “How do you suggest plea bargaining when my client has not even spoken? This is pure propaganda, not a legal process,” he argued.
He called on Ghanaians to take note of the unfolding events, warning that if due process is not upheld, similar injustices could happen to anyone in the future. “ Today, it is Mr. Adu-Boahene and his wife; tomorrow, it could be anybody,” he cautioned.
