After Defence Counsels Reportedly Unwell
…adjournment fuels speculation over trial delay tactics as prosecution witnesses await cross-examination
TNR Files
The trial of the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Ewahab Aludiba, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wani, has been adjourned to September 29 and 30, 2026, following the reported ill-health of all defence counsel.
Justice Francis Achibonga, a Court of Appeal judge sitting as an additional High Court judge, granted the adjournment after receiving medical reports from both defence teams. The court noted that it was the first such request on health grounds and accordingly excused the lawyers.
The development marks the latest in a series of procedural delays in a case that has drawn significant public attention. Aludiba and his wife are standing trial on 16 counts, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing, using public office for profit, intentional dissipation of public funds, and money laundering. The alleged offences involve approximately GH¢62.6 million.
Lead counsel for the first accused, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, and counsel for the second accused, Augustine Obuor, both submitted medical documentation to support their absence.
Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed the adjournment to journalists after proceedings yesterday. The court has fixed the new dates for hearing at 9:30 am on each day.
The court’s decision to adjourn comes despite the prosecution’s readiness to proceed with the case, which has been characterised by repeated delays since its commencement.
The sudden illness of all defence lawyers has sparked discussion among observers following the case closely. While some have expressed scepticism and suggested the possibility of deliberate delay tactics, others have questioned why the accused and their legal team appear to be prolonging proceedings if they maintain there is no case to answer.
The adjournment comes at a time when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and counsel for former appointees of the previous government have faced similar allegations of employing delay strategies in cases before the courts. There are concerns among some observers that this may be part of a broader pattern to frustrate the government’s efforts to have these cases heard and concluded.
This is not the first time the case has faced procedural interruptions. More than a week ago, lead counsel Yeboah Dame similarly cited ill-health when the legal team was contesting the Chief Justice’s decision to continue hearing selected cases designated for expedited attention.
On that occasion, Aludiba informed the court that his lead counsel had been in and out of hospital for several days. He also noted that his lawyer had petitioned the Chief Justice regarding his unavailability during the court vacation.
“I humbly plead with my Lord for a long adjournment so that that will fall in line with the hearing of the stay of proceeding,” Aludiba told the court at the time.
His wife, Faiza Seidu Wani, similarly informed the court that her counsel, Augustine Obuor, remained unwell after being absent from the previous proceedings.
The defence is also pursuing an application for stay of proceedings pending an appeal against the trial court’s decision to dismiss a motion to strike out the charges for being defective. This legal challenge adds another layer of complexity to the case and has contributed to the perception of procedural delays.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the cross-examination of a prosecution witness in the trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, concluded successfully yesterday.
The witness had been in the witness box for nine weeks. The court had granted counsel Samuel Atta Akyea a three-day extension to complete his cross-examination, which began yesterday and will continue today before concluding on September 1, 2026.
Aludiba’s appointment as CEO of NAFCO came under scrutiny following his tenure at the institution. The charges against him and his wife relate to alleged financial improprieties during his time in office.
The case is being closely watched as a test of the government’s commitment to pursuing accountability for alleged corruption under the previous administration.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2026, when the court will expect the defence counsel to be present to proceed with the case. Should the lawyers fail to appear again, the court may be compelled to take a firmer stance to prevent further delays.