Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has filed a motion seeking the release of his client’s personal belongings, including mobile phones, being held by the State. This development is related to the case of Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO). Mr. Dame argued that access to these items is necessary for Mr. Aludiba to adequately prepare his defence.
Mr. Aludiba is standing trial, accused of causing GH¢78 million financial loss to the State. The case involves charges including conspiracy to commit crime, stealing, and causing financial loss to the state. Alongside his wife, Faiza Wuni, and three others, Mr. Aludiba is facing 24 counts of various crimes, including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, and intentional dissipation of public funds. All accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution was ready to commence the trial, but the Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Achibonga, adjourned the case to October 7, 2026, to allow Mr. Dame to move the application for the release of the personal belongings. According to Mr. Dame, the continued withholding of these items could impair Mr. Aludiba’s constitutional right to a fair trial under Article 19(2) (e) of the 1992 Constitution.
The case has undergone significant developments. Initially, the Attorney-General’s (A-G’s) Office withdrew the criminal charges against Mr. Aludiba, his wife, and three others on May 5, 2026, following the emergence of fresh evidence. However, shortly after leaving the courtroom, the accused persons were re-arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and subsequently charged with the aforementioned 24 counts.
The accused persons and companies linked to them are alleged to have caused a financial loss of about GH¢78 million to the state. Mr. Aludiba and his wife were granted bail totalling GH¢150 million and placed on the Ghana Immigration Service stop list. Specifically, Mr. Aludiba’s bail was set at GH¢100 million with six sureties, four of whom were required to justify their solvency with landed property.
Mr. Aludiba's wife, Faiza Wuni, was granted GH¢50 million bail with four sureties, two of whom were required to justify their solvency with landed property. The court’s decision to grant bail reflects the judicial process's ongoing efforts to balance the rights of the accused with the interests of justice.
The case is set to continue on October 7, 2026, as the court will hear Mr. Dame’s application for the release of Mr. Aludiba’s personal belongings. The outcome of this application and the trial will be closely watched, given the significant financial implications and the number of individuals and entities involved.
Key points
- Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame seeks release of Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba's phones and belongings.
- The trial of Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba and others over GH¢78 million financial loss to the State continues.
- The accused were granted bail totalling GH¢150 million and placed on the Ghana Immigration Service stop list.
