By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – An Accra High Court has adjourned the trial of Mr Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former Boss of the National Buffer Stock, to October 7, 2026, to determine an application seeking the release of properties seized from him by the State.
The application, filed by counsel for Mr Aludiba, includes a request for the release of mobile phones seized from the first accused.
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, counsel for Mr Aludiba, told the Court that some of the phones were seized last year, while others were taken following his client’s arrest at the airport.
He said the phones contained information necessary for the conduct of the trial and related to matters forming the subject matter of the proceedings.
Mr Dame argued that the release of the phones was necessary to enable Mr Aludiba to adequately prepare his defence in accordance with his constitutional rights under Article 19(2)(e) and (g).
He said an accused person was entitled to adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence.
Mr Dame maintained that the mobile phones were required for his client to properly prepare his defence.
Mr Augustine Obour, counsel for Madam Faiza Seidu Wuni, spouse of Mr Aludiba, also indicated that his client had requested the release of some of her gadgets in connection with the case.
Ms Esi Yankah, a Principal State Attorney, said the prosecution had been served with the application on Friday.
She argued that the application should not prevent the prosecution from commencing the examination-in-chief of its first witness as scheduled.
Ms Yankah said the Court was a court of record and the defence would have adequate opportunity to examine the proceedings and cross-examine the witness on matters arising from the evidence.
She said the prosecution had filed its witness statement on June 3, 2026, and a supplementary witness statement on June 11, 2026, and, therefore, the contents were not new to the parties.
Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, presiding over the case, said adequate preparation for a defence included an accused person’s ability to examine and object to evidence presented by the prosecution.
The Court said it would, therefore, be inappropriate to commence the trial before determining the application for the release of the phones and other properties of the first accused.
Justice Achibonga said the trial would commence only after the Court had determined whether Mr Aludiba was entitled to the release of the properties, particularly the mobile phones.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, are facing trial at the Accra High Court over criminal charges including the alleged theft, money laundering, and fraudulent causing of financial loss to the state amounting to over GH¢62 million
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
29 Sept. 2026
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku