The Accra High Court has postponed proceedings in the criminal trial involving former National Food and Buffer Stock Company Chief Executive Officer Hanan Abdul Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, to Monday, August 17, 2026, after lawyers representing both accused persons were absent from court.
During the proceedings, Hanan Abdul Wahab informed the court that his lead counsel, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, was indisposed and had been admitted to hospital. The explanation was given as the court sought to proceed with the matter.
Counsel representing the second accused, Augustine Obuor, was similarly unavailable. Faiza Seidu Wuni subsequently told the court that her lawyer was also unwell and therefore unable to attend the proceedings.
However, Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem Sai, challenged the explanation advanced for Mr Dame’s absence. He informed the court that the former Attorney General had previously communicated that he would be unavailable during the legal vacation and had subsequently petitioned the Chief Justice against the decision to conduct the trial during the vacation period.
The Deputy Attorney General consequently questioned whether the stated illness was the actual reason for Mr Dame’s failure to appear. He argued that where ill health was being cited as the basis for counsel’s absence, the court should be presented with appropriate medical documentation capable of verifying the claim.
The proceedings also brought another legal development to the attention of the court, as Hanan Abdul Wahab disclosed that he had received a copy of an application seeking a stay of the criminal proceedings filed before the Court of Appeal. According to the information presented, the application has been scheduled for hearing on October 19, 2026.
Hanan therefore urged the High Court to grant a substantially longer adjournment to enable the appellate process to progress before the substantive proceedings continue at the trial court.
The presiding judge, however, declined to grant the extended postponement sought by the first accused and instead adjourned the case to August 17. The court directed counsel for Hanan Abdul Wahab to appear on that date and address the bench regarding the pending application for a stay of proceedings.
The latest adjournment adds another procedural development to a criminal case that has already witnessed several legal applications and preliminary disputes since proceedings against the former NAFCO chief executive and his wife commenced.
The High Court had earlier dismissed an application by Mr Dame seeking to strike out the entire charge sheet against Hanan Abdul Wahab, although the court directed the prosecution to amend two counts relating to allegations of defrauding by false pretences. The ruling allowed the substantive case to proceed while requiring the prosecution to provide additional particulars in the affected charges.
The trial of Hanan Abdul Wahab and Faiza Seidu Wuni concerns allegations of financial impropriety arising from their dealings with the National Food and Buffer Stock Company. Both accused persons have denied wrongdoing, while the court continues to determine the various applications and procedural issues arising in the case. Earlier proceedings resulted in bail being granted to Hanan Abdul Wahab in the sum of GH¢60 million, while his wife was granted bail of GH¢3.5 million, with conditions including the surrender of their passports and periodic reporting to the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
With the High Court now scheduled to revisit the matter on August 17, attention will focus on whether the defence will provide further submissions concerning the pending appellate application and whether the court will permit the criminal proceedings to continue while the Court of Appeal considers the request for a stay.
