By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, May 28, GNA – An Accra High Court has adjourned the Case Management Conference (CMC) in the trial involving Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO), and his wife, Faiza Seidu WUNI, over unsigned witness statements.
It ruled that unsigned witness statements filed by the prosecution were defective.
The court held that unsigned witness statements were “as good as not having witness statements” and therefore could not form the basis for proceeding with the Case Management Conference.
Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney-General, appeared for the Republic, while Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame represented Mr. Abdul-Wahab and Mr. Augustine Obour appeared for Faiza.
Mr. Dame informed the court that although the defence had been served with three witness statements, only one had been properly signed and verified.
According to him, the remaining witness statements had neither been signed nor verified as required under the applicable practice directions.
He further contended that some of the documents served on the defence had not gone through the appropriate legal procedures.
Mr. Dame argued that unsigned witness statements could not properly be regarded as witness statements within the meaning of the law.
Responding to the objections, Dr. Srem-Sai submitted that the concerns raised by the defence should not affect the conduct of the Case Management Conference.
He said the defence itself had acknowledged receipt of three witness statements and disclosures, which were supported by proof of service on the court’s records.
The Deputy Attorney-General argued that the absence of signatures on some witness statements was not sufficient to stall proceedings at the Case Management stage.
He said such objections would only become material at the stage when the prosecution sought to tender the statements during trial.
He further submitted that there was no provision under the applicable practice directions preventing the conduct of a Case Management Conference because of unsigned witness statements.
On the issue of disclosures, Dr. Srem-Sai maintained that disclosure in criminal proceedings was a process that could continue throughout the duration of the trial.
He cited the Supreme Court decision in the Baffoe-Bonnie case and the accompanying practice directions to support his position.
The court, presided over by Justice Francis Apongabono Achibingo, however disagreed with the prosecution on the issue of unsigned witness statements.
In its ruling, the court observed that the disclosures filed by the prosecution, including a list of documents filed on May 15, 2026, were proper.
However, the court held that the practice directions made it mandatory for witness statements to be signed and verified.
The court said that the language used in the practice directions clearly indicated that signing witness statements was compulsory.
It further held that witness statements were not only relevant at trial but were also essential for the conduct of a proper CMC.
The court consequently ruled that it could not proceed with the CMC in the absence of duly signed witness statements.
Mr. Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife are facing 20 counts of criminal charges, including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abuse of public office for profit, dishonestly receiving, and money laundering.
The court admitted Mr. Abdul-Wahab Aludiba to bail in the sum of GH¢60 million with two sureties to be justified, while Faiza was granted bail in the sum of GH¢3.5 million with two justified sureties.
The matter was adjourned to June 9, 2026.
GNA
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
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Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong