The Accra High Court has adjourned the case involving former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, to August 17, 2026.
The court will hear arguments from their lawyers on an application seeking to stay proceedings pending an appeal.
Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Wuni are facing several criminal charges, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering.
Defence Lawyers Absent in Court
When the case was called on August 12, lawyers Godfred Yeboah Dame and Augustine Obour were not present in court.
The accused persons explained that their lawyers had taken ill after petitioning the Chief Justice over the continuation of court proceedings during the legal vacation.
Aludiba also told the court that Richard Gyambibi, described as his lawyer’s second-in-command, was out of town marking scripts for the Ghana School of Law.
The former NAFCO CEO further informed the court that he had received a copy of an application filed at the Court of Appeal seeking to stay the proceedings.
He therefore appealed for a lengthy adjournment to allow his lawyers time to recover and for the application to be heard.
Deputy Attorney-General Opposes Adjournment
However, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai opposed the request for an extended adjournment.
He argued that Godfred Dame had already informed the court that he would not be available to conduct the trial during the legal vacation.
According to the Deputy Attorney-General, filing an application at the Court of Appeal does not automatically suspend proceedings before the High Court.
He also questioned the absence of documentary medical evidence to support the claim that counsel was unwell.
The Deputy A-G maintained that there are established procedures for addressing a lawyer’s inability to attend court and urged the court to allow the case to proceed.
“We pray that proceedings continue in the normal course,” he argued.
Court Adjourns Case to August 17
After hearing the arguments, the presiding judge adjourned the matter to August 17, 2026.
The defence lawyers are expected to appear on that date and make submissions on their application to stay the High Court proceedings pending the appeal.
The decision could determine whether the criminal trial involving the former NAFCO CEO and his wife will continue during the ongoing legal vacation or be temporarily suspended pending the outcome of their appeal.
Source: newsthemegh.com