NCA CASE: State to Call two more witnesses to close its Case

State prosecutors in the case of the Republic verses Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie and four others are set to call their last but one prosecution witness (Fifth Witness) on the 29th of January 2019 after defence lawyers completed their cross examination of the fourth prosecution witness today the 22nd of January 2019.

In an off record conversation with the Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, after the court sitting that saw the fourth prosecution witness, Mr. Henry Kanor, the Deputy Director General in charge of Technical Operations at the National Communications Authority (NCA) being discharged from the witness box, she said the State after her fifth witness will call an additional witness (sixth witness) to close its case.

Cross Examination of Witness

During the cross examination of the fourth prosecution witness today in court, the main contention was about a “Letter of Confirmation” approving the purchase of cyber security equipment which was signed by Mr. Henry Kanor. The witness told the Court that he signed the said document at the instruction of the Board Chairman of the NCA then, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, who is the first accused person in the case. Defence lawyers also sort to confirm from the prosecution witness whether or not he was aware of the request by the Israeli Ministry of Defence for an “End User Certificate” from the NCA. Mr. Kanor in his answer said he never heard nor sighted any communication between the NCA and the Defence Ministry of Israel and that it was the first time he was hearing about same.

The Court

Justice Eric Kyei Baffour’s Court after defence lawyers completed their cross examination adjourned sitting to the 29th of January 2019 by which time the fifth prosecution witness of the State who is currently out of the jurisdiction would have returned home to give his evidence.

Background

According to the facts of the case as presented by the Attorney General in the case of the Republic vrs. Eugene Baffoe Bonnie and four others, the first accused, Baffoe-Bonnie; 2nd accused, Tettey Tevie; 3rd accused Ensaw and 4th accused person Osman, were allegedly aided by the 5th accused person, Oppong, to engage in the criminal act. It said the previous administration had contracted an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, to supply a listening equipment at a cost of $6 million to enable the authorities to monitor conversations of persons suspected to be engaged in terror activities.

A local agent, Infraloks Development Limited, charged $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million. The facts explained that the National Security apparatus did not have the money to fund the transaction and for that reason the NCA, which had supervisory jurisdiction over the use of such equipment, was asked to fund the project. The fact sheets also said $4 million was withdrawn from the NCA’s account, while $1 million out of the withdrawn amount was deposited into the account of the Israeli company. The A-G explained that the remaining $3 million was lodged in the account of Oppong, who acted as a representative of the local agents, Infraloks Development Ltd.