Lawyers for the former National Food Buffer Stock Company CEO, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, have filed an application asking the court to dismiss all the charges against their client, describing them as fatally defective and in contravention of his rights.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, have been charged with multiple offences, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering.
When the case was called on Wednesday, July 15, Principal State Attorney Esi Dentaa Yankah indicated that the prosecution is ready to call its first witness after noting that disclosures had been filed.
Before the trial could begin, lead counsel for Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, drew the court’s attention to the arrest of the former NAFCO CEO at the airport while he was attempting to travel for medical treatment.
He also raised concerns over Aludiba’s subsequent four-day detention and asked the court to issue orders against the Attorney-General for allegedly disregarding previous court directives.
Dame noted that despite the court granting his client leave to travel, he was accosted under allegations of attempting to clear his frozen bank account.
In response, the Principal State Attorney affirmed the development, but noted that a motion on notice had been filed to that effect and was due to be heard on Thursday, hence urged the court to proceed with the business of the day.
The presiding judge, in his ruling, directed the trial to begin after indicating that the court would hear the matter on Thursday.
Godfred Dame then indicated to the court that the defence had filed an application to strike out the charges against Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, noting that the charges were fatally defective and contravened his client’s rights.
The prosecution maintained that they were unaware of the application and had not been served with the processes.
Justice Achibonga then ordered that the processes be served on the other parties and adjourned proceedings to July 20 to hear the application.
By Laud Adu-Asare
