The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has re-arrested former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, shortly after the Attorney-General discontinued all charges against them in an ongoing criminal case.
The development comes shortlty after the couple were discharged by the court on Tuesday, May 5, following the withdrawal of charges by the Attorney-General’s Department.
The two had been standing trial alongside other accused persons and companies over their alleged roles in the purchase and supply of foodstuffs under the national school feeding programme, in a case involving an alleged loss of GH¢78 million to the state.
Earlier in court, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai informed the court that the prosecution had decided to discontinue proceedings against the accused persons following the emergence of fresh evidence.
“Following the discovery of fresh evidence, we have, a while ago, withdrawn from the prosecution of all the Accused Persons in the case of THE REPUBLIC v HANAN ABDUL-WAHAB ALUDIBA and 4 OTHERS,” he stated in a post on Facebook.
He explained that the decision was intended to ensure that each of the accused persons is given “a fair and speedy trial in accordance with the Constitution.”
The court subsequently struck out the charges against the accused persons, leading to their discharge.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, EOCO operatives moved in shortly afterwards to re-arrest Hanan Abdul-Wahab and Faiza Seidu Wuni. Details of the basis for the re-arrest are yet to be officially disclosed.
The case has been marked by protracted legal arguments, including disputes over witness statements and the composition of the prosecution team.
At the previous adjourned date, the prosecution had sought to substitute newly filed witness statements with earlier ones, while defence lawyers challenged the participation of an Economic and Organised Crime Office officer in the prosecution.
Presiding judge, Justice Achibonga, had directed the Attorney-General’s Department to provide evidence of proper authorisation for the officer’s role.
The latest development is expected to deepen public interest in the case, as questions emerge over the legal and procedural implications of the withdrawal of charges and the subsequent re-arrest by EOCO.
