Lead counsel for Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, has declared that he will not appear in court on August 17 for the continuation of his client’s trial during the legal vacation.
Atta Akyea stated that he has already communicated his position to the Chief Justice and will not be part of a trial that, in his view, should not proceed during the recess.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 on August 11, 2026, Atta Akyea stated that he would not comply with the directive.
Samuel Atta Akyea took a swipe at the presiding judge, questioning the motive behind his decision to rule that Adu-Boahene would have to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses if he, Atta Akyea, failed to appear in court.
He stated, “I’m not going to court at all. Why should a judge, in a very technical case of this nature, when a lawyer is on vacation, go and find another lawyer by saying that you come and stand there and cross-examine?
“How can a layperson cross-examine in such a matter? You are asking a carpenter to go and do surgery. What is special about this case? Some of these things you are failing to answer, and I know they can’t answer. What is special about these cases?” he asked.
He further questioned the Chief Justice and the judge presiding over Adu-Boahen’s case on the distinction between a criminal case and a murder case
Atta Akyea argued that there was nothing special about his client’s case to prevent him from enjoying his legal vacation.
He added, “Who tells you I’m not in a hurry to clear my client’s name? I told you that the whole year, when was the time that I said I won’t come to court, and you believe that I shouldn’t have my vacation as the CJ is having his vacation? What is the meaning of legal vacation? If you want to go and read the law, go and pay regard to Order 79, and Order 79 decrees legal vacation.
“What is the meaning of legal vacation? What is special between a murder case and Kwabena Adu-Boahen’s case? You think we can’t question discretionary powers and administrative decisions? They are all embedded in the position,” he said.
The development follows Justice Francis Archibonga telling former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahene he will conduct his own trial if his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, refuses to show up to court.
According to reports, Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife arrived at court yesterday without their Lawyers when the judge asked where they were; Adu-Boahene replied that he wasn’t sure if his lead lawyer, Atta Akyea, was even in the country.
Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai stood up and stated that the state is well aware of the defence lawyers’ categorical refusal to attend court during the legal vacation.
The presiding judge, Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, gave Kwabena Adu-Boahen and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, a six-day ultimatum to produce their lawyer.
The judge said failure to do so would result in their conducting cross-examination themselves or the prosecution’s witness being discharged.
Watch the video below:
Adu-Boahene 6-day Ultimatum: 'I am not going to court at all! Why should I go to court? What is the meaning of legal vacation, and what is special about these cases?' – Samuel Atta Akyea, Lead Defence Counsel for Adu Boahene#DailyBrief #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/0TF7xcYzL4
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) August 11, 2026
@ghnow_ The Ghana Agricultural Fund for Education and Transformation (GAFET) officially takes off to support agricultural development, education, and transformation in Ghana. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – BLACKO _ VIBEZ(4GEDA4EVER)🇬🇭
@ghnow_ Arrival of the minister of MoFA and his deputy at the GAFET launch #GHnow #fyp ♬ Biggest Nathaniel – N.E records & lasmid
