Ghana’s former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has been arrested on charges of embezzlement, fraud, and illicit financial transactions, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has confirmed.

Adu-Boahene, who headed the NSB from 2017 to February 2025, allegedly diverted millions of Ghanaian cedis meant for a national cyber defense project into private accounts and investments. His arrest follows an extensive probe by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which tracked his movements across multiple countries as he attempted to evade capture.

Failed Escape: How Adu-Boahene Was Caught

Investigations revealed that Adu-Boahene fled Ghana on February 25, 2025, boarding British Airways flight BA078 to the UK before continuing his journey to Dubai. Authorities tracked his movements and discovered he had booked a return flight to Ghana on Emirates Flight EK187 for March 21, 2025.

However, he later canceled his return and rescheduled for April 8, 2025, in an apparent attempt to avoid detection. EOCO ramped up its surveillance after identifying a name similar to Adu-Boahene’s on another British Airways flight manifest, suggesting he had altered his name on official travel documents.

Upon his eventual return, Adu-Boahene was intercepted by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at Kotoka International Airport while attempting to pass through the Commercially Important Persons (CIP) terminal.

Inside the $7 Million Cyber Defense Fraud

During his time at the National Signals Bureau, Adu-Boahene was responsible for overseeing critical national security contracts, including a 2020 cyber defense deal with Israeli firm ISC Holdings Limited. The contract, worth $7 million, was meant to enhance Ghana’s cybersecurity infrastructure to counter cyber threats, digital espionage, and data breaches.

However, according to forensic audits, Adu-Boahene diverted approximately GHS 49 million ($7 million) from NSB accounts to his private company, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, which he co-owns with his wife.

Although an initial payment of GHS 9.5 million ($1.75 million) was made to ISC Holdings, the rest of the funds were rerouted for personal investments and offshore transfers.

EOCO Uncovers More Suspect Transactions

Further investigations revealed that Adu-Boahene may have used multiple passports, including two Ghanaian service passports and possibly a foreign passport, raising concerns about dual or multiple nationalities. His wife is confirmed to hold a British passport.

Authorities are currently tracing several individuals and entities that may have received fraudulent payments from Adu-Boahene’s accounts. The Attorney General’s office has vowed to ensure that all involved in the financial misconduct face legal consequences.

This high-profile arrest is expected to send a strong signal in Ghana’s fight against corruption, with EOCO intensifying efforts to recover misappropriated state funds.