By Grace Zigah
The criminal trial of former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, has been adjourned to September 29 and 30, 2026, after his lead counsel, former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, submitted a medical excuse to the Accra High Court.
The latest development represents another delay in a case that has already been characterised by a series of procedural disputes, interlocutory applications and challenges by the defence to the manner in which the prosecution has framed and pursued its case.
At the latest sitting on Wednesday, August 26, Dame’s medical excuse was formally submitted to the court through his client, Hanan Abdul-Wahab.
The document came after concerns had previously been raised over the lawyer’s absence from proceedings and the inability of the court to move forward with pending applications.
The development followed an earlier sitting on August 12, when Hanan informed the court that his lead lawyer was indisposed and had been in and out of hospital.
The prosecution, however, questioned the explanation at the time because no medical documentation had been presented to substantiate the claim.
The court subsequently deferred proceedings to allow Dame to appear and address issues connected with an outstanding application for a stay of proceedings.
With the medical excuse now before the court, proceedings have been adjourned to September 29 and 30.
The latest adjournment comes against the background of a prolonged legal contest surrounding Hanan and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, who are facing criminal charges arising from alleged financial improprieties in the management of NAFCO and related public food programmes.
The State has accused the two of offences including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the State, abuse or use of public office for profit, dishonestly receiving and money laundering.
The alleged financial exposure has previously been reported at about GH¢78 million, although the fresh prosecution followed the withdrawal of an earlier case and the filing of new charges after investigators said they had uncovered additional evidence.
Both Hanan and Faiza have denied the allegations and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
One of the major procedural battles arose in July when Dame challenged the validity of the prosecution’s charge sheet and sought to have the entire indictment struck out.
The defence argued that portions of the charge sheet were defective and failed to provide sufficient particulars to enable Hanan to properly understand the allegations against him.
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application and questioned why the defence had not raised the objections during the Case Management Conference, when the framework for the trial was being established.
The court ultimately rejected the attempt to strike out the entire charge sheet but agreed that portions of the prosecution’s case required correction.
The court directed the State to amend two counts relating to allegations of defrauding by false pretences.
The ruling allowed the prosecution to proceed with the case while requiring it to correct the identified defects.
