Attorney General Drops Charges Against Third Accused in GHS49 Million NSB Theft Case

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has discontinued prosecution against Mildred Donkor, the third accused person in the ongoing GHS49 million theft case involving the former National Signals Bureau (NSB) boss, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng.

This development marks a significant twist in one of Ghana’s most high-profile financial crime cases, which has gripped public attention since it broke earlier this year. The case, which involves the alleged diversion of GHS49 million from the NSB’s operational funds, has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability within the country’s national security architecture.

According to a statement from the Attorney General’s Department, the decision to drop charges against Mildred Donkor was made after a thorough review of the available evidence. The Attorney General stated that continuing her prosecution would not serve the interests of justice, as investigators could not establish that she knowingly participated in or benefited from the alleged theft. The decision, officials say, was based purely on evidential grounds and not political or external influence.

Investigations by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the Ghana Police Service had alleged that the former NSB Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, masterminded a scheme to siphon millions of cedis meant for classified operations into private accounts. He is said to have colluded with his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, to move the funds through a web of offshore accounts and shell companies, disguising the transactions as legitimate operational expenditures.

Prosecutors detailed in court that portions of the misappropriated money were allegedly used to acquire luxury properties in East Legon, high-end vehicles, and to fund lavish international trips. Mildred Donkor, who was an administrative officer at the Bureau, was accused of processing some internal documentation that facilitated the transfers. However, further investigation revealed she had acted on instructions without knowledge of the fraudulent intent behind the transactions.

The Attorney General’s decision to withdraw charges against her is being viewed by some legal experts as a prudent move to preserve the credibility of the prosecution. According to legal analyst Kweku Ankomah of the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG-Ghana), it’s better to discontinue proceedings against an accused person where the evidence is weak than to pursue a case that risks collapse in court. “It demonstrates prosecutorial maturity and respect for due process,” he said.

Meanwhile, the prosecution of the two main accused persons, Kwabena Adu-Boahene and Angela Adjei-Boateng, will proceed. Both face charges of stealing, conspiracy to commit crime, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. The state prosecutors are reportedly preparing new evidence, including financial audit reports and digital records, to strengthen their case.

Civil society organizations have welcomed the decision to drop charges against Donkor but have also called for a speedy trial of the remaining accused persons. Transparency International Ghana, in a statement, urged the government to ensure that the case is handled with integrity and without political interference. “Cases of this magnitude, involving public institutions tasked with safeguarding the nation’s security, must be handled transparently to restore public trust,” the group noted.

Public reaction has been mixed. While some Ghanaians see the Attorney General’s move as a fair application of justice, others believe it could be a prelude to selective prosecution. On social media, opinions have been divided, with several commentators expressing skepticism about whether the case will reach a logical conclusion. Some have also questioned how a massive financial scandal of this nature could occur within one of Ghana’s most sensitive security institutions without early detection.

Dr. Ayine, however, has assured the public that his office remains committed to seeing the case through and ensuring that justice is served. He emphasized that Ghana’s justice system must uphold fairness while ensuring that individuals who abuse public office for personal gain are held accountable.

The High Court is expected to resume hearing the case in the coming weeks, where both the former NSB boss and his wife will be called to respond to the charges. Prosecutors are expected to tender additional forensic accounting evidence tracing the movement of funds through local and foreign financial channels.

For now, Mildred Donkor walks free, her charges withdrawn after months of uncertainty. But the broader case remains a crucial test of Ghana’s resolve to fight corruption at the highest levels of public service. As proceedings continue, attention will remain fixed on how the state navigates the balance between justice, evidence, and accountability in a case that has exposed the cracks in the country’s institutional safeguards.

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