Buffer Stock trial: Court grants GHS150m bail to Ex-CEO, GHS50m to wife

The High Court in Accra has granted bail amounting to GHS150 million to the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company, Hannan Abdul-Wahab, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.

The couple is facing multiple criminal charges brought against them by the state.

Presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay, the court set bail for Mr. Abdul-Wahab at GHS100 million with six sureties — four of whom must justify their bond with landed property. The judge further ordered that he be placed on a stop list at all entry and exit points of the country.

His wife, the second accused, was also granted GHS50 million bail with four sureties, three of which must be justified with properties located within the court’s jurisdiction. She is to deposit all travel documents with the court and report to investigators every Wednesday.

The pair are charged with 24 counts of offences including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, and misuse of public office — offences linked to alleged financial irregularities at the Buffer Stock Company. Both pleaded not guilty.

Justice Kocuvi-Tay instructed that the accused report weekly to investigators, who must submit monthly compliance reports to the court. Disclosures are to be filed on November 27, 2025, ahead of a Case Management Conference.

During proceedings, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai told the court that the prosecution was not opposed to bail but urged that the terms reflect the gravity of the alleged crimes, which involve over GHS115 million.

He noted that the accused, described as a man of “considerable means,” could pose a flight risk.

Defense counsel Joseph Dindiok Kpemka pleaded for leniency, stressing that the accused couple had cooperated fully with investigators and consistently honoured all EOCO invitations. He argued that the court should not impose conditions so severe that they effectively deny bail, reminding the court that the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was adjourned to November 27, 2025, for case management and further proceedings.