By Issah Olegor
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has launched a strong attack on the government, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney-General over what he describes as the “extra-judicial harassment” of former National Food and Buffer Stock Company CEO Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
In a strongly worded statement issued following their rearrest on May 5, 2026, the Minority Leader accused state authorities of abusing legal processes and using security institutions as political tools to sustain the government’s anti-corruption narrative under the controversial ORAL initiative.
Rearrest After Withdrawal Of Charges
According to Afenyo-Markin, the arrest of Abdul-Wahab Hanan and his wife came barely after the Attorney-General withdrew criminal charges against them and three others in the ongoing Buffer Stock case—a prosecution that had lasted for nearly a year.
The case had become one of the most publicised corruption-related prosecutions linked to the government’s ORAL anti-corruption campaign, which was launched to investigate alleged financial irregularities involving former government appointees and state institutions.
However, during proceedings at the Case Management Conference stage of the trial, defence lawyers reportedly succeeded in exposing weaknesses in the prosecution’s case through a series of objections that were upheld by the court.
Godfred Dame’s Objections And Courtroom Drama
Afenyo-Markin stated that the Attorney-General attempted to strengthen what he described as a weak prosecution by introducing fresh witness statements without first seeking leave of the court, contrary to criminal procedure rules.
The move was challenged by the defence team led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, who objected to the filing of the additional statements. The court subsequently upheld the objections.
According to the Minority Leader, the Attorney-General, after suffering repeated setbacks in court, decided to withdraw all charges against the accused persons entirely.
The withdrawal of the case was interpreted by sections of the opposition as evidence that the prosecution lacked substance from the beginning.
EOCO’s Rearrest Sparks Outrage
Despite the withdrawal of the charges, Afenyo-Markin said EOCO proceeded to rearrest Abdul-Wahab Hanan and his wife almost immediately for what he claimed were unspecified offences unknown even to their legal team.
He alleged that the couple were taken into EOCO custody and denied bail, despite previously being on court-granted bail before the charges were discontinued.
More controversially, he claimed lawyers representing the former Buffer Stock CEO were denied access to their client for several hours after arriving at EOCO’s offices.
According to him, members of the legal team remained at the agency’s premises from about 11am until 8pm without being allowed access to the detained individuals.
ORAL Under Renewed Criticism
The rearrest has reignited debate over the government’s ORAL anti-corruption drive, which has faced criticism from the opposition NPP over what they describe as selective justice and politically motivated prosecutions.
Afenyo-Markin argued that the Buffer Stock prosecution had become a symbol of what he termed the government’s “failed ORAL promise,” accusing authorities of prioritising political propaganda over lawful prosecution.
He recalled that the Attorney-General had previously held a high-profile press conference in which the Buffer Stock case was presented as a major breakthrough under the ORAL initiative, while publicly portraying the accused persons as having stolen state funds even before charges had formally been filed.
The Minority Leader contended that the subsequent withdrawal of charges, followed by the rearrest of the accused persons, amounted to an attempt by state institutions to “save face” after failing to secure a strong case in court.
Sharp Criticism Of EOCO Boss
Afenyo-Markin also singled out EOCO Executive Director Raymond Archer for criticism, accusing him of allowing the institution to be used as a political instrument rather than an independent investigative body.
He argued that EOCO’s conduct in the matter departed from established legal norms and due process traditionally associated with the institution.
According to him, EOCO risked being transformed into what he described as a “rogue outfit” used to intimidate opposition figures whenever prosecutions encounter legal difficulties.
Concerns Over Democracy And Rule of Law
The Minority Leader further described the treatment of Abdul-Wahab Hanan and his wife as shameful and inconsistent with democratic governance and the rule of law Ghana has built over the past three decades.
He warned against the use of law enforcement agencies as instruments of political persecution, insisting that criminal investigations must be conducted strictly within constitutional and legal boundaries.
The statement ended with a direct demand for the immediate release of the former Buffer Stock CEO and his wife, while calling for an end to what he termed “impunity” and extra-judicial harassment of citizens.
