Bright Simons Questions Credibility of Ex-NSB Boss’ Claims; Calls Allegations a Vague Threat to State Prosecution
Policy Analyst and Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has waded into the controversy surrounding a confidential memorandum authored by former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, who is currently under investigation for corruption-related offenses involving some GHS49 million.
In a strongly worded analysis shared on social media platform X, Mr Simons dissected the memo addressed to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in which the embattled former spy chief claimed that significant sums of state funds were channelled into politically sensitive activities under the guise of national security operations.
According to the contents of the memo, approximately GHS8.3 million was allegedly expended on communication equipment for a leading opposition party—now in power—while GHS1 million was purportedly paid to Members of Parliament to secure the passage of key national security legislation. A further GHS5.1 million was reportedly used to purchase luxury vehicles for a “Special Aide to the President-elect.”
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, Bright Simons cast doubt on their relevance to the ongoing criminal proceedings, arguing that the lack of classified documentation or credible corroborative evidence undermines the former NSB boss’ claims.
“The former head of one of the three main agencies constituting Ghana’s national security system is under trial for stealing public funds designated for intelligence operations,” Mr Simons noted. “He has written a letter from detention darkly hinting that unless his trial and detention are halted, he shall be forced to disclose operations which could embarrass senior politicians from both major political parties.”
Mr Simons criticized the supposed rationale behind using state funds for non-transparent activities, including real estate investments and luxury car purchases, stating that such methods are inconsistent with the objectives of covert national security financing.
“If the national security establishment wants to efficiently disburse funds for ‘dirty operations,’ why would it do so through illiquid real estate investments and the purchase of luxury items?” he questioned. “How does that facilitate undercover payments for national security objectives?”
He further highlighted the involvement of prominent investigator Raymond Archer, whom he described as “formidable,” suggesting that the integrity of the investigative process remains intact and is unlikely to be compromised by what he characterised as veiled threats and sensationalism by the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB).
Mr Simons also called for broader reform of the auditing framework for national security spending, warning that the current structure is ill-equipped to detect systemic abuse.
“At some point, serious conversations must be had about the setup of the national security auditing regime,” he said. “The Auditor-General is not currently fit for this purpose, not fit for tackling most organised modes of misusing public funds.”
Despite the disturbing implications of the memo, Mr Simons concluded that the letter is unlikely to influence the trajectory of the trial, cautioning that its publication could instead prompt state prosecutors to intensify their efforts.
“If he is alleging actual wrongdoing by the national security agencies, then he can present clearer, actionable evidence,” he asserted. “Otherwise, this looks like an attempt to blackmail the state under vague and veiled threats of embarrassing some important people.”
