A High Court presiding over the criminal case involving former CEO of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Abdul Hanan-Wahab Aludiba, and his wife has directed officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to appear at its next sitting to clarify a disputed operation carried out at the residence of the first accused.
The order follows concerns raised by defence counsel Godfred Yeboah Dame regarding an incident on April 8, 2026, during which EOCO officers allegedly marked the accused’s Chain Homes property with graffiti suggesting it was under investigation. The defence argued that the action, reportedly undertaken without a court order, violated the rights of the accused and his family.
An EOCO officer present in court indicated that the operation was conducted by the agency’s Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit but said he was not directly involved and could not provide further details.
The court noted it could not immediately determine whether the incident was connected to the ongoing trial or a separate matter, hence the directive for EOCO officials to provide clarification at the next hearing.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General’s Office informed the court that it would no longer rely on certain documents earlier submitted as evidence. These materials, referenced in the witness statement of EOCO staff officer Julius Nudanu, were related to transactions allegedly authenticated and paid for by the Ministry of Education in favour of the National Food Buffer Stock Company. The documents have since been withdrawn.
In another development, the defence challenged the role of an EOCO Assistant Staff Officer in the prosecution team, arguing that the officer lacked the legal authority to represent the State. The prosecution, however, maintained that EOCO personnel have prosecutorial powers granted through an Executive Instrument. The court has postponed its ruling and instructed the Attorney-General to provide proof of such authorisation.
Counsel for the second accused also questioned the continued retention of electronic devices seized during investigations, including mobile phones and a laptop, arguing that they had neither been admitted as evidence nor covered by any freezing order. The court subsequently directed EOCO to address this issue as well.
The case has been adjourned to April 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM, when EOCO officials are expected to respond to all outstanding matters and the court may deliver rulings on the pending objections.
Source: citinews
