The High Court in Accra has 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.
The adjournment followed the absence of lawyers representing both accused persons.
Hanan told the court that his lead counsel, former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, was unwell and had been admitted to hospital.
Counsel for the second accused, Augustine Obuor, was also absent, with Faiza Wuni informing the court that her lawyer was indisposed.
However, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, challenged the explanation for Mr Dame’s absence.
He said the lawyer had earlier indicated that he would be unavailable during the legal vacation and had petitioned the Chief Justice over the decision to continue the trial during that period.
Dr. Srem-Sai further argued that if illness was the reason for Mr Dame’s absence, the court should have been provided with medical evidence to support the claim.
Meanwhile, Hanan informed the court that he had received a copy of an application for a stay of proceedings filed at the Court of Appeal.
The application is scheduled to be heard on October 19, 2026.
He therefore asked the court for a longer adjournment to allow the appeal proceedings to take their course.
The presiding judge, however, adjourned the case to August 17 and directed counsel for the first accused to appear and address the court on the pending application for a stay of proceedings.
