Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, has called for the prosecution of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene to continue unabated.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 10, Mr Simons emphasised the importance of the legal process in uncovering any clandestine operations that may have occurred under the guise of national security.
Simons criticised a leaked Adu-Boahene memo, claiming that funds under scrutiny were utilised for sensitive intelligence activities.
READ ALSO: Breakdown of charges in GH¢49m cybersecurity scandal against Adu-Boahene
He described the memo as a “smokescreen” and an attempt to intimidate the state into dropping charges.
“If national security agencies wish to set up a special corporate vehicle for confidential operations, why would they do so in the name of one of the seniormost spy bosses in the country?” he questioned.
Highlighting the implausibility of the former NSB boss’s claims, Mr Simons pointed to investigations revealing that funds were diverted to luxury purchases, including high-end real estate and vehicles.
“What has the buying of a Lamborghini for a high-end car rental service got to do with bribing MPs to pass laws in parliament favourable to the government?” he asked, underscoring the disconnect between the expenditures and legitimate national security operations.
Mr Simons also stressed the need for reforms in auditing national security expenditures, noting that the current systems are ill-equipped to detect or address financial mismanagement involving intelligence operations.
“The Auditor-General is not currently fit for this purpose. In fact, it is not fit for tackling most organised modes of misusing public funds,” he asserted.
He concluded by urging the state to continue providing verifiable information to the public, making it harder for attempts to muddy the picture and ensuring that justice is served without fear or favour.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
