EOCO Re-Arrests Former NAFCO CEO, Wife After Charges Dropped

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, along with his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, shortly after the Attorney-General discontinued all charges against them in an ongoing criminal case.

The development comes shortly after the couple were discharged by the court on Tuesday, May 5, following the withdrawal of charges by the Attorney-General’s Department.

Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife had been standing trial alongside other accused persons and companies over their alleged involvement in the procurement and supply of foodstuffs under the national school feeding programme. The case centres on an alleged financial loss of GH¢78 million to the state.

Earlier in court, Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai informed the court that the prosecution had decided to discontinue proceedings against all 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“Following the discovery of fresh evidence, we have, a while ago, withdrawn from the prosecution of all the accused persons in the case of The Republic v. Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and 4 Others,” he said in a Facebook post.

He explained that the decision was taken to ensure that each accused person is afforded a fair and speedy trial in line with constitutional provisions.

The court subsequently struck out the charges, leading to the discharge of the accused persons.

However, in a dramatic twist, EOCO operatives moved in shortly afterwards to re-arrest Hanan Abdul-Wahab and Faiza Seidu Wuni. The basis for the re-arrest has not yet been officially disclosed.

The case has been marked by prolonged legal disputes, including disagreements over witness statements and the composition of the prosecution team.

At the previous hearing, prosecutors sought to substitute newly filed witness statements with earlier ones, a move challenged by defence lawyers. The defence also questioned the involvement of an EOCO officer in the prosecution.

Presiding judge, Justice Achibonga, had directed the Attorney-General’s Department to provide proof of proper authorisation for the officer’s role.

The latest development is expected to heighten public interest, raising questions about the legal and procedural implications of withdrawing charges and the subsequent re-arrest by EOCO.