The Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) has returned seized assets to Hanan Abdul, the former CEO of the Ghana Buffer Stock Company, and his family members. The items, which include £6,700, GH¢2,750, two laptop computers, and six mobile phones, were seized during investigations into financial crimes allegedly committed against the state. The return of the assets was made on October 5, 2026, following a court directive.
According to reports, some of the items were seized in 2025, while the money, one laptop, and two mobile phones were seized on July 4, 2026, when Hanan was arrested at the airport. He was detained for four days and prevented from traveling abroad pursuant to a court order granted for medical purposes. The seized items were crucial to the defense of Hanan and his family members, who are standing trial for financial crimes.
The trial, which was set to commence on September 29, 2026, was deferred due to the seized mobile phones. Lead counsel for Hanan, Godfred Dame, argued that the trial could not proceed without the return of the seized items, particularly the mobile phones, which contained critical pieces of evidence necessary for the defense. The phones were said to have information related to matters central to the subject matter of the proceedings.
The court, presided over by Justice Francis Achibonga, agreed with counsel for the defense that the prosecution could not commence its case without first determining the application seeking the release of the phones and other properties of the first accused. The court noted that counsel for the first accused might need the phones to prepare adequately for the trial, in accordance with Article 29(2)(d) and (g) of the Constitution.
Counsel for the second accused, Faizal Wuni, also informed the court that his client had requested the release of her electronic gadgets, which would form the basis of her defense. The prosecution had argued that the trial could proceed while the motion to determine whether the accused persons were entitled to the release of the seized items was pending.
The court ultimately directed EOCO to release the seized items to the accused persons. EOCO took a cue from the court proceedings and released the items on October 5, 2026. The release of the assets allows Hanan and his family members to prepare for their defense in the trial.
The trial has been adjourned to a later date, with the prosecution indicating its readiness to call its first witness. The case against Hanan and his family members relates to financial crimes allegedly committed against the state during their tenure at the Ghana Buffer Stock Company.
Key points
- EOCO released £6,700, GH¢2,750, two laptop computers, and six mobile phones seized from Hanan Abdul and family members.
- The trial was deferred due to the seized mobile phones, which contained critical evidence necessary for the defense.
- The court directed EOCO to release the seized items to allow Hanan and his family members to prepare for their defense.
