The High Court in Accra has decisively adjourned the criminal case involving former National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, to August 17, 2026, following a failure by both parties’ legal teams to appear in court. The decision comes after protracted negotiations and a significant delay in the proceedings, escalating concerns among legal observers and the public alike. The crux of the issue centers on the failure of the lawyers representing both accused individuals – Lead Counsel, Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, and Counsel for the Second Accused, Augustine Obuor – to appear before the court, a matter that has ignited considerable debate within the legal community.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab, the defendant, stated to the court that his lead counsel, Attorney-General Dame, was experiencing an unforeseen and worsening illness, rendering him unable to participate in the trial. Dame, according to Abdul-Wahab, had previously indicated his intention to remain unavailable during the legal vacation period, which, he claimed, prompted a petition to the Chief Justice regarding the trial’s continuation. Dame’s subsequent explanation, delivered during the hearing, hinged on the lawyer’s previous statement concerning his unavailability, and the court has now sought further evidence to substantiate this claim.
Furthermore, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, questioned the reasoning behind Dame’s absence, asserting that the lawyer’s previous declaration should have been communicated to the court, and that the court should have been provided with medical documentation to support this claim. The court is now compelled to consider whether the lawyer’s absence constitutes a legitimate reason for the delay, prompting a protracted discussion regarding the legal precedents regarding the legal vacation and its impact on court proceedings.
In response to the impasse, Hanan Abdul-Wahab presented a copy of an application for a stay of proceedings filed at the Court of Appeal, scheduled to be heard on October 19, 2026. He has appealed for a longer adjournment to allow the appellate proceedings to proceed, stressing the importance of a timely resolution to the legal challenge.
The presiding judge, recognizing the impasse, adjourned the case to August 17, 2026, directing counsel for the first accused, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, to appear and address the court on the pending application for a stay of proceedings. This ruling signals a significant shift in the legal strategy, demanding that the court prioritize the hearing of the case and potentially impacting the anticipated timeline of the trial.
Watch Related Video
Source: MyJoyOnline
