Accused businessman Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, allegedly had multiple company accounts managed by a former director of Advantage Solutions Limited, Mildred Donkor. The third prosecution witness testified at the High Court on Tuesday, detailing how she handled financial transactions, including payments and withdrawals, for businesses like BNC Communications Bureau Limited, which she stated was owned by the couple. The court, presided over by Justice Achibonga, heard that these transactions were often instructed verbally and sometimes described as loans.
Context of Business Operations
Madam Donkor explained that BNC Communications Bureau Limited was introduced to her around 2018 as part of the accused persons’ expanding business ventures. Initially, cheque books for the BNC account were unavailable, a common banking issue, leading to funds being transferred between related company accounts. These included Advantage Solutions Limited and Vertex Properties Limited, to facilitate necessary transactions.
Financial Transaction Management
Once cheque books became available, withdrawals and payments were made directly to third parties or to Madam Donkor herself, with the funds then passed on to the accused. Many of these payments were for suppliers of building materials, such as cement and iron rods. Given the high volume of transactions, Madam Donkor maintained personal records using an Excel spreadsheet and a notebook to ensure accurate reconciliation.
Verbal Instructions and Loan Descriptions
The witness stated that most instructions for financial activities came verbally from Mr. Adu-Boahene, and occasionally from Mrs. Boateng. These transactions were frequently characterized as loans, necessitating detailed record-keeping by Madam Donkor to track potential repayments.
Evidence Presented in Court
An attempt by the prosecution to submit Madam Donkor’s Excel records was postponed after the defence requested time to review newly served disclosures. However, a notebook containing handwritten records was admitted as evidence without objection. Madam Donkor also testified that some funds were directed to Margaret Ama Donkor, identified as the mother of the first accused, for a construction project in Asokore, Kumasi, where she assisted in procuring building materials.
Dispute Over Project Photograph
A photograph of the alleged construction project led to a legal dispute. The defence objected to its admissibility, questioning its authenticity under NRCD 323 and arguing that the witness had not personally visited the site. The court overruled the objection, deeming the witness’s identification of the project sufficient for admission.
Use of Pre-Signed Cheques
Madam Donkor further testified that withdrawals were executed using pre-signed cheque books. These cheques were signed by the accused persons and then completed by her based on specific instructions before being presented at the bank or used for transfers. She identified 12 cheque books associated with various accounts, including Advantage Solutions Limited, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, and Vertex Properties Limited, all held at Universal Merchant Bank branches.
Role in Payment Execution
The witness confirmed her direct involvement in completing cheque leaflets and executing payments, either personally or through other individuals as instructed. The case was adjourned to Thursday, May 7, 2026, for its continuation.
Future Implications
The detailed testimony regarding the management of multiple company accounts and the handling of funds provides significant insight into the alleged financial operations of the accused. The court’s handling of evidence, particularly the admissibility of the project photograph, sets precedents for how such documentation will be treated in future proceedings. Attention will now turn to further evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence’s response, as the trial progresses. The meticulous record-keeping by the witness, if corroborated, could be crucial in establishing the flow of funds and the nature of the transactions in question.
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