Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab, has petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, alleging harassment, unlawful detention and violations of his constitutional rights by state security agencies in connection with his ongoing criminal prosecution.
In a petition dated July 17, 2026, Abdul-Wahab accused the Attorney-General’s office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) of repeatedly denying him due process since investigations into the case began.
The petition follows an earlier letter submitted by his lawyers on July 9, 2026, raising concerns over alleged breaches of his rights and the seizure of his funds by EOCO, which he said received no response.
Abdul-Wahab maintained that he has committed no wrongdoing and remains willing to defend himself through the courts. He said he has confidence in Ghana’s judicial system but believes the actions of the prosecuting authorities have undermined his constitutional rights.
According to the petition, he was first arrested on June 25, 2025, and detained by EOCO for more than two weeks under a GH¢60 million bail condition, which he described as excessive. He further alleged that the Attorney-General publicly commented on the matter before charges were filed, arguing that the remarks compromised his right to be presumed innocent.
He stated that he was later arraigned before High Court Criminal Court 4, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of GH¢100 million with six sureties, four of whom were required to provide landed property. He described the conditions as oppressive and unreasonable.
Abdul-Wahab said the prosecution withdrew all charges against him on May 5, 2026, after the court upheld legal objections raised by his lawyers over alleged procedural irregularities.
However, he claimed that immediately after his discharge, EOCO officers, accompanied by armed personnel, rearrested him within the court premises despite his cooperation throughout the investigations.
He further alleged that he was denied access to his lawyers while in EOCO custody and was taken to hospital without the knowledge of his legal team or family members.
According to the petition, he was released on the evening of May 6 without being questioned and was only interviewed by investigators the following day before being re-arraigned about 11 days later before the Specialised Court.
The former NAFCO CEO also raised concerns over his arrest at Kotoka International Airport on July 4, 2026, despite having obtained a High Court order permitting him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
He alleged that after completing immigration and security formalities, he was arrested by BNI officers before boarding his flight and detained for four days without charge.
During that period, Abdul-Wahab claimed the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, alleged on social media that he had attempted to withdraw funds from a frozen bank account.
He denied the allegation, insisting that no evidence had been presented identifying the account or any attempted transaction.
The petition further alleged that EOCO imposed a fresh bail condition of GH¢5 million with two sureties following his transfer from BNI custody and continued to deny him meaningful access to his legal representatives.
Abdul-Wahab also accused EOCO of unlawfully retaining several personal belongings, including £6,700 intended for medical expenses, two mobile phones and his passport.
He further claimed that his mobile phones were accessed without judicial authorisation while in the custody of the security agencies.
Describing his experience as a repeated “catch-and-release” strategy, Abdul-Wahab said he has been arrested and released four times since the case began and questioned whether the actions against him were motivated by legitimate legal processes or personal considerations.
In the petition, he called on the Attorney-General to ensure that public officials refrain from making statements that could prejudice the ongoing case, ensure that all future actions comply with the Constitution and the rule of law, and direct EOCO and the BNI to cease what he described as continued harassment of himself and his family.
He also requested the immediate return of his passport, mobile phones, borrowed funds and all other personal belongings still being held by EOCO.
A copy of the petition was also sent to the Chief Justice.
