The Attorney-General has filed an application at the High Court seeking to overturn an earlier ruling that granted former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, permission to travel to the United Kingdom for specialist medical treatment.

The latest legal action follows Mr Aludiba’s recent arrest and subsequent bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

According to an update shared by Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) on Facebook, the Attorney-General is asking the court to set aside its June 29 order after new information emerged alleging that Mr Aludiba attempted to access funds that had been frozen under an EOCO directive.

The prosecution contends that the alleged attempt breaches Section 37 of the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804), which prohibits any transaction involving property or funds that are subject to a freezing order.

In its application, the Attorney-General’s Office argued that these developments were not brought before the court when it granted the travel request and could have influenced its decision.

“It is the position of the Attorney-General that these material facts, which were not before the Court when the travel order was made, may materially influence the Court’s decision regarding its order granting leave for the first accused to travel outside the jurisdiction,” the ORAL statement quoted.

The Attorney-General’s Office explained that the application is a lawful step taken in response to significant changes in circumstances after the court’s initial ruling. It stressed that the move should not be interpreted as a prejudgment of the substantive case, adding that Mr Aludiba remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the Constitution.

Mr Aludiba is the first accused in the ongoing Buffer Stock case, in which he and another individual are facing trial over alleged financial offences.

The High Court is expected to hear the application in the coming days.