Accra:The Court of Appeal has ordered a stay of proceedings in the criminal trial of Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), pending an appeal against a High Court decision on the charges against him.
According to Ghana Web, a three-member panel of the appellate court decided to suspend the trial, citing exceptional circumstances. This decision came after Hanan's legal team, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application following the High Court's dismissal of their request to nullify the entire charge sheet.
The defence argued that the charges were fundamentally flawed, potentially infringing on the accused's right to a fair trial. They insisted that these issues needed resolution before the trial could proceed. In July 2026, the High Court had rejected their application to strike out the charge sheet but instructed the prosecution to amend two specific counts related to defrauding by false pretences. The court found these defects non-fatal to the prosecution's case.
Unhappy with the High Court's ruling, the defence appealed and requested a stay of proceedings while the appeal is considered. The state, represented by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, opposed this, contending that the circumstances did not justify suspending the trial. Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal granted the stay, pausing the High Court proceedings until the appeal's outcome.
Hanan and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, face multiple charges concerning alleged financial malpractices within NAFCO. These charges include stealing, defrauding by false pretences, causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, money laundering, and misapplication of public funds. The stay does not affect the merits of the appeal or imply the guilt of the defendants. The appellate court will determine whether the High Court's decision to maintain the charge sheet was appropriate. Until then, the High Court case remains on hold.