Former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab released from EOCO custody

By: Eugene Dogbatse Atsu
Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Days after his dramatic arrest at the Kotoka International Airport over allegations that he attempted to access funds in a frozen bank account.

“It was Mr Aludiba’s attempt to use false means to empty his frozen bank account that occasioned the arrest,” Dr. Srem-Sai stated

His release comes amid an ongoing legal battle involving allegations of financial misconduct and a dispute between his legal team and the Attorney-General’s Office over the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.

Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Aludiba was released on Wednesday following several days in EOCO custody.

Mr. Abdul-Wahab was arrested on July 5 while preparing to travel to the United Kingdom after a High Court had granted him permission to leave the country for what his lawyers described as a medical appointment.

However, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai alleged that the former NAFCO boss had attempted to use “false means” to access money in a frozen Republic Bank account, prompting law enforcement authorities to intervene.

According to Dr. Srem-Sai, the arrest became necessary after intelligence suggested an attempt had been made to withdraw funds from an account that was subject to restrictions as part of ongoing investigations.

The arrest immediately sparked controversy, with lawyers for the former NAFCO chief accusing the Attorney-General’s Office of violating a valid court order that had permitted their client to travel abroad.

Lead counsel Godfred Yeboah Dame described the arrest as unlawful and announced plans to pursue contempt proceedings against officials involved in authorising the action.

“The allegation is simply untrue,” the legal team said in response to claims that their client attempted to withdraw money from a frozen account.

The lawyers further argued that no valid freezing order existed at the time of the alleged transaction, insisting that earlier restrictions had ceased to have effect following the withdrawal of previous charges against their client.

Mr. Abdul-Wahab remains at the centre of a high-profile criminal case involving allegations of stealing, causing financial loss to the state, defrauding by false pretences, abuse of public office for profit and money laundering.

Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against him and his wife over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure at NAFCO.

Investigators claim millions of cedis were improperly disbursed through questionable transactions linked to rent payments and food supply contracts, allegations the accused persons have denied.

Although EOCO has released the former NAFCO boss from custody, the broader legal proceedings against him are expected to continue in court as investigators and prosecutors pursue the case.