Bright Simons insists ex-NSB boss must face trial to expose potential misconduct.

Ex-NSB boss must face trial

 Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, has strongly urged the government and judicial authorities not to relent in their prosecution of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), who is currently at the center of a major financial controversy. Simons delivered this call to action during a panel discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on Saturday, May 10, where he laid out a compelling argument for pursuing justice in the face of what he described as a deliberate and sophisticated attempt to mislead the public under the pretext of “national security.”

At the heart of the controversy is the alleged misappropriation of GH₵49 million, funds reportedly under the control of Adu-Boahene during his tenure at the NSB. According to a leaked memo authored by Adu-Boahene himself, the funds were supposedly used for “covert national security operations.” The former spy chief claims that this included sensitive spending on intelligence activities, such as providing financial support for communication equipment for political parties and other operations he categorized as vital to national interests.

However, Bright Simons rejected this explanation outright, describing the leaked memo as nothing more than a “smokescreen.” He argued that the document was carefully crafted to paint a misleading picture — not to provide transparency, but to create enough confusion and fear to pressure the state into dropping the charges. In Simons’ view, this kind of strategy is designed to exploit the general public’s limited understanding of how national security operations work, using secrecy as a shield to deflect legitimate questions.

“If security agencies genuinely needed to set up a special corporate vehicle or financial structure to carry out confidential or sensitive operations,” Simons asked, “why would they tie it directly to one of the most senior intelligence officers in the country?” He questioned the logic and motivation behind naming such a high-profile individual as a key actor in what were claimed to be covert operations. According to him, this alone casts serious doubt on the authenticity and intent behind the former NSB chief’s narrative.

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Simons also pointed to specific findings from ongoing investigations that further erode the credibility of Adu-Boahene’s account. These findings reportedly include the purchase of expensive luxury items and assets, such as high-end real estate properties and vehicles, using public funds. He highlighted one particularly glaring example — the acquisition of a Lamborghini, which was supposedly purchased to bolster a high-end car rental service. “What does buying a Lamborghini have to do with convincing MPs to pass crucial legislation in Parliament for the good of the country?” Simons asked rhetorically, underscoring what he sees as a blatant misuse of state resources under the guise of national interest.

These revelations, he argued, point to a much larger problem: the lack of effective oversight and accountability in the management of public funds, particularly those allocated to national security agencies. Simons was especially critical of the current role of the Auditor-General, suggesting that the institution is not adequately equipped — either in terms of mandate or capacity — to audit sensitive expenditures related to intelligence operations.

“In its current form, the Auditor-General’s office is simply not fit for this purpose,” Simons stated bluntly. “In fact, it is ill-prepared to deal with most sophisticated schemes involving the misuse of public funds.” He noted that this isn’t just a matter of oversight, but a structural flaw in the way intelligence agencies are funded and monitored, allowing for potential abuse under the protection of confidentiality.

For Simons, the solution lies not only in prosecuting wrongdoers but also in reforming the systems that allowed such misuse to go undetected for so long. He called for a comprehensive review of how national security funds are audited and suggested the introduction of more rigorous internal checks, independent reviews, and perhaps even limited parliamentary oversight — without compromising national security.

He was also emphatic about the importance of public transparency. According to Simons, the state must do a better job of communicating clearly and consistently with citizens during such investigations. Providing verified, factual information to the public would not only help prevent misinformation but would also stop individuals involved in wrongdoing from muddying the waters to protect themselves.

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“The more verifiable information the government can provide to the public, the harder it becomes for those accused to twist the narrative or hide behind vague claims,” he explained. “This is about showing that justice can and will be done — without fear or favor — no matter how high up the chain of command the accused may be.”

In his closing remarks, Bright Simons stressed that this case presents a defining moment for Ghana’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. If swept under the rug, he warned, it could set a dangerous precedent for future misuse of public funds, especially in areas of government traditionally shielded from scrutiny.

“Justice must not only be done,” Simons concluded, “but it must also be seen to be done. The public needs to know that our institutions can stand up to power and do what’s right. That is the only way we can protect the integrity of our democracy and ensure that national security is not misused as a cover for personal gain.”

As the case continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the judicial process and the government’s willingness to hold powerful individuals accountable. Whether the prosecution moves forward decisively or stalls under political pressure will reveal much about the current state of governance and transparency in Ghana.

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