By Grace Zigah
The Accra High Court has granted bail of ₵150 million to the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hannan Abdul-Wahab, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, who are standing trial for multiple corruption-related charges stemming from his tenure at the state-owned company.
The bail ruling, delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay, came after weeks of legal argument over the accused persons’ eligibility for bail in a case the Attorney-General has described as one of the country’s largest public finance scandals in recent years
The Buffer Stock Scandal
The case traces back to a 2024 forensic audit conducted at the National Food and Buffer Stock Company, which uncovered alleged financial irregularities exceeding ₵115 million.
Investigators from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) alleged that several payments meant for food suppliers and contractors under the government’s Free Senior High School feeding programme had been diverted into private accounts linked to Hannan and his associates.
The audit report accused the former CEO of creating a network of “ghost suppliers” and manipulating invoices to siphon public funds between 2021 and 2023.
His wife, Faiza, was implicated as a beneficiary of suspicious transfers and alleged to have laundered portions of the proceeds through property acquisitions in Accra and Tamale.
Following the audit, EOCO invited both for questioning. They were initially released on administrative bail but were later charged with 24 counts, including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, and using public office for profit.
Court Decision
In her ruling, Justice Kocuvi-Tay granted Hannan Abdul-Wahab bail in the sum of GH₵100 million with six sureties, four of whom must justify their bonds with landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court.
The court also ordered that the accused be placed on a stop-list at all entry and exit points in Ghana to prevent flight.
His wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, received separate bail of GH₵50 million with four sureties, three of whom must also be justified with landed property.
She has been directed to deposit all travel documents, including her passport, with the Court’s Registrar.
Both accused persons are required to report to the investigator every Wednesday, with the investigator submitting monthly compliance reports to the Court.
The judge further ordered that all disclosures be filed by November 27, 2025, ahead of the Case Management Conference.
Prosecution’s Position
During proceedings, the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, told the Court that the State was not opposed to the grant of bail but emphasized the seriousness of the offences.
He described the case as “a white-collar crime involving over GH₵115 million of taxpayers’ money,” urging the Court to impose conditions stringent enough to ensure the accused remain within jurisdiction.
He also noted that the former CEO, being “a man of substantial means with property in prime areas of Accra,” could pose a flight risk if not adequately monitored.
Defence Argument
Counsel for the accused, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, a former Deputy Attorney-General, argued passionately for leniency in bail terms.
He maintained that his clients had cooperated fully with investigators and had never attempted to abscond throughout the inquiry.
“When bail was granted at EOCO, they complied with every condition. It came as a shock that some sureties were later discovered to have submitted forged documents; my clients had no role in that,” Kpemka said.
He cited Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, reminding the Court that “a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
He therefore urged the Court not to impose conditions so stringent that they effectively amount to a denial of bail.
Next Steps in the Case
The trial has been adjourned to November 27, 2025, when disclosures are expected to be filed.
The Case Management Conference is expected to set the tone for what legal analysts predict could be one of the most closely watched corruption trials in recent memory.
In a brief reaction after the ruling, Kpemka said, “The cry for justice is not served on a silver platter. We are grateful the Court has seen reason to allow my clients their liberty as they prepare their defence. We are confident of meeting the bail conditions shortly.”
The National Food and Buffer Stock case adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption prosecutions involving public officials accused of mismanaging funds meant for critical national projects, particularly in the education and agriculture sectors.
