The High Court in Accra has denied a request for adjournment made by the newly appointed lawyer of Mildred Donkor, the third accused in the ongoing GH¢49 million embezzlement case involving the National Signals Bureau (NSB).
Presiding judge, Justice John Nyante Nyadu, ruled on Tuesday, July 29, that Donkor had been given sufficient time to secure legal representation and should have adequately prepared her new lawyer ahead of the hearing.
“I would typically allow such a request if the accused lacked literacy,” the judge stated. “But given her level of education and the fact that the previous adjournment was granted specifically to allow her to hire legal counsel, it was reasonable to expect she would brief her lawyer appropriately.”
Donkor’s lawyer, Mr. Nutifafa Nutsukpui, appeared in court for the first time and explained that he had only been retained the night before. He added that the accused had provided him with incomplete case documents late in the day, leaving little time for a thorough review.
Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the request, arguing that the late appointment of counsel should not hinder the progress of the trial.
“This motion does not directly involve the third accused,” Dr. Srem-Sai pointed out. “Disclosure is ongoing. Once counsel is formally on record, he will receive all relevant materials concerning his client.”
Donkor, along with former NSB Director Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, and a fourth defendant, is facing charges of misappropriating GH¢49 million in public funds and allegedly using the money to acquire several properties.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, July 31, 2025.
