By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, May 18, GNA – An Accra High Court has granted bail to Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, a former Chief Executive Officer, National Buffer Stock Company, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, both accused of financial improprieties.
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 Court further ordered the accused persons to deposit their passports at the court’s registry and report once every fortnight to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The accused persons were also removed from the stop list at all exit points across the country.
The Court ruled that the accused persons should continue to remain on the bail terms earlier executed at EOCO pending the perfection of the new bail conditions.
It said the accused persons had until May 21, 2026, to satisfy the new bail conditions because the time remaining in the day would not permit completion of the bail processes at the court registry.
The Court directed the prosecution to file all witness statements and disclosures within seven days if same had not already been done.
The accused persons were also ordered to file a list of witnesses they intended to call should they be required to open their defence, at least two clear days before the date fixed for Case Management Conference (CMC).
The matter was adjourned to May 28, 2026, at 1200 hours for CMC.
Earlier, a legal argument arose over the participation of an EOCO officer in the prosecution team.
Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, counsel for Mr. Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, objected to the appearance of a lawyer he described as an Assistant Staff Officer of EOCO as part of the prosecution team.
Mr. Dame argued that Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution and the Law Officers Act permitted only the Attorney-General, recognised officers within the Attorney-General’s Department, or persons properly authorised by law to conduct criminal prosecutions on behalf of the Republic.
He contended that the EOCO officer had not been shown to possess the requisite legal authorisation to participate in the prosecution.
Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney-General, opposed the objection and argued that official acts were presumed to have been regularly performed unless proven otherwise.
He submitted that the burden rested on the defence to establish that the officer lacked authorisation.
The Court, however, held that once the capacity of a lawyer to prosecute on behalf of the State was challenged, the burden shifted to the prosecution to establish the legal authority of the lawyer concerned.
It said under Section 56 of Act 30, persons outside the Attorney-General’s Department could prosecute if authorised by an Executive Instrument.
Upon being shown EI 2, appointment of public prosecutors instrument, 2026, the Court ruled that the EOCO officer was duly authorised to prosecute and could properly form part of the prosecution team.
Mr. Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and the 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.
GNA
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
[email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong