By Daniel Bampoe
The Minority in Parliament has strongly condemned what it describes as “pre-trial punishment” against former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul Hannan Wahab, and his wife, who are facing a combined bail of GH¢80 million following their arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) last week.
On June 25, in a coordinated operation that spanned Accra and Tamale, EOCO apprehended Wahab and his wife on allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
While EOCO has yet to formally lay charges in court, the couple was swiftly granted bail with Wahab slapped with GH¢50 million and his wife GH¢30 million—an amount that has ignited sharp backlash from opposition legislators.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, June 29, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei accused EOCO of using bail not as a legal safeguard but as a punitive tool to suppress perceived political opponents.
“Mr Wahab was picked up like a fugitive. His wife, too. This is not justice, it’s humiliation,” she stated, adding that the excessive bail terms are “more punishing than a conviction.”
The Minority insists that the arrest and subsequent treatment of the couple is not grounded in any urgent need to secure justice but is part of what they say is a pattern of political retribution under the current administration.
They argue that Wahab, a known appointee during the NPP-led administration, is being targeted as part of a broader effort to discredit officials from the previous government.
Referencing Section 96 of Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, Act 30, the Minority emphasized that bail is meant to guarantee appearance in court—not serve as a form of punishment before trial.
“The law is clear: bail should be fair and non-excessive. These conditions are outrageous and without legal justification,” the statement read.
The group also questioned the rationale behind treating Wahab and his wife as flight risks, noting that Wahab has a longstanding track record of public service and family stability.
“He’s a family man, not a criminal. He has no reason to run. What exactly is the state afraid of?” the Minority questioned.
In a direct swipe at EOCO’s acting Executive Director Raymond Archer, the group warned that the use of state institutions for what it believes is politically motivated action would not go unchecked.
“History will judge your conduct. Posterity is watching,” the Minority declared. “Ghana must not be held hostage to partisan justice.”
While reaffirming their support for accountability and the legal process, the Minority stressed that accountability must be pursued fairly, not as a weapon against political rivals.
“Weaponising institutions is a dangerous trend. It erodes confidence in democracy and threatens the rule of law,” Appiagyei noted.
The Caucus is now calling for an urgent review of the bail conditions imposed on Wahab and his wife, urging the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to uphold constitutional rights and refrain from actions that could be interpreted as political victimisation.
“This is not bail, it’s punishment. Mr Wahab and his wife must be released on reasonable terms that reflect their rights and dignity,” the statement demanded.
The opposition is also calling on civil society, religious leaders, the media, and ordinary citizens to rise and defend democratic institutions from what it terms political abuse.
“Let us speak up before silence becomes complicity. Ghana’s institutions must be impartial, not political hammers.”
The Minority’s latest stand adds fuel to a growing national conversation over the conduct of state investigative agencies under the current administration, amid accusations that anti-corruption efforts have taken on a partisan tone.
