FORMER BUFFER STOCK CEO LAWYERS CRY FOUL OVER AIRPORT ARREST

FORMER BUFFER STOCK CEO LAWYERS CRY FOUL OVER AIRPORT ARREST

Lawyers for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, have condemned his arrest at the Accra International Airport, describing it as an unlawful act carried out in defiance of a valid High Court order.

In a strongly worded press release issued on Sunday, counsel for Mr. Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, accused the Attorney-General, the Deputy Attorney-General and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) of deliberately violating an order of the High Court that permitted their client to travel to the United Kingdom between July 4 and July 12, 2026, for a medical appointment with his optician.

The lawyers announced that they will institute contempt proceedings against the Attorney-General, the Deputy Attorney-General and the Director of the BNI, arguing that the arrest amounts to a blatant disregard for the authority of the courts.

The defence also rejected claims made by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai that Mr. Aludiba attempted to use false means to access funds in a frozen Republic Bank account.

According to the lawyers, no evidence exists that their client attempted to withdraw money from any account. They further contend that there is currently no valid court order freezing Mr. Aludiba's bank accounts, explaining that the previous freezing orders lapsed after the original criminal case against him was withdrawn on May 5, 2026.

The statement added that when fresh charges were filed later in May, the High Court, according to the defence, recognised that the new prosecution constituted a fresh legal process. The lawyers said they had previously communicated this legal position to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The defence described the Deputy Attorney-General's public comments as false and misleading, insisting that the arrest was orchestrated to frustrate a lawful court order permitting their client's travel.

Government's Earlier Position

The lawyers' statement comes after Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai announced on Saturday night that Mr. Aludiba had been arrested at the Accra International Airport. In a Facebook post, Dr. Srem-Sai alleged that the arrest followed an attempt by the former NAFCO CEO to use false means to access funds in a frozen Republic Bank account.

He further indicated that the Attorney-General would apply to the High Court on Monday to review the order granting Mr. Aludiba permission to travel outside Ghana.

Background to the Case

Mr. Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, are currently standing trial on fresh charges after the Attorney-General withdrew an earlier charge sheet and filed a new one.

The prosecution alleges that during his tenure as NAFCO Chief Executive between 2017 and 2025, Mr. Aludiba diverted millions of cedis in public funds through businesses linked to himself and his wife.

The charges include alleged stealing, defrauding by false pretences, causing financial loss to the Republic, money laundering, using public office for profit and intentional misapplication of public funds.

Both accused persons have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The High Court granted Mr. Aludiba bail in the sum of GH¢60 million and his wife GH¢3.5 million, with conditions including justified sureties, surrender of their passports and periodic reporting to EOCO.

The legality of Saturday night's arrest is now expected to become a major issue when the matter returns to court, as the Attorney-General seeks a review of the travel order and the defence prepares to pursue contempt proceedings.