The Court of Appeal has ordered a suspension of proceedings in the trial of former National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, pending the determination of his appeal challenging the validity of the charge sheet against him.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, October 19, 2026, a three-member panel presided over by Justice Noble Nkrumah held that the issues raised by Hanan’s legal team constituted exceptional circumstances justifying a stay of proceedings at the High Court.
Hanan, represented by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, is challenging a July 2026 High Court decision that dismissed his application to quash the charges over alleged defects in the charge sheet.
The former NAFCO CEO and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, are facing multiple charges, including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, causing financial loss to the Republic, using public office for profit, money laundering, dishonestly receiving and misapplying public funds.
During the appeal proceedings, Dame argued that the charge sheet failed to provide sufficient details of the alleged offences, potentially undermining the accused persons’ constitutional right to a fair trial. He cited allegations involving GH¢50 million and questioned the prosecution’s decision to group numerous transactions into single counts without clearly identifying the individual acts involved.
The defence further argued that the prosecution had failed to specify the alleged false representations underlying the fraud charges and insisted that the charges should provide adequate information to enable the accused persons to prepare their defence.
However, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai opposed the application, arguing that the defence had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances warranting a halt to the trial. He maintained that the charge sheet contained sufficient information and warned that suspending proceedings could lead to unnecessary delays.
In its decision, the Court of Appeal emphasised that the charge sheet forms the foundation of a criminal trial and that the concerns raised by the defence deserved judicial consideration.
The court consequently granted the application for a stay of proceedings, meaning the High Court trial will remain suspended until the appeal challenging the charge sheet is determined.
The ruling does not amount to an acquittal or dismissal of the charges against Hanan and his wife. The substantive criminal case remains pending the outcome of the appeal.
Source: newsthemegh.com