Copyright vision1fm
The Attorney-General has initiated several criminal charges against Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), along with his spouse, Faiza Seidu Wuni, and three other individuals, concerning the alleged theft and laundering of over ₵78 million in public funds. The individuals charged, which include The Aludiba Foundation, Energy Partners Limited, and Richard Sam-Asante (who is currently evading capture), are facing 24 charges that encompass stealing, money laundering, and fraudulently causing financial loss to the Republic, as well as misusing public office for personal gain and the intentional dissipation of public funds. This case, lodged at the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra, outlines a complicated scheme of embezzlement and financial manipulation that is purported to have occurred between February 2017 and February 2025, during Hanan Aludiba’s leadership at NAFCO. Alleged Diversion of Funds As per the charge sheet, Hanan Abdul-Wahab is accused of misappropriating over ₵50.8 million from NAFCO through payments that were allegedly made to Sawtina Enterprise, a business owned by one of NAFCO’s regional managers, James Tieku-Apawu. Investigations conducted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) have indicated that approximately 80% of the transfers made to Sawtina lacked any corresponding supply of goods, with more than ₵50 million reportedly traced back to Hanan, his spouse, and associated companies. Payments to Family Businesses Further inquiries revealed that Hanan facilitated additional payments amounting to: ₵5.49 million to Aludiba Enterprise, his personal business; ₵4.4 million was allocated to Alqarni Enterprise, a firm owned by his spouse, Faiza Wuni; and ₵251,050 was directed to Energy Partners Limited, a company under his control as well. The EOCO discovered that neither of these organizations held licenses as suppliers for NAFCO, and there were no valid transactions that justified the payments. Money Laundering and Property Acquisitions The prosecution claims that from 2020 to 2022, Hanan transferred more than ₵13.2 million from NAFCO funds to Fa-Hausa Ventures, a business registered in his wife’s name. Both Hanan and Faiza were authorized signatories on the company’s bank account. Investigators assert that these funds were utilized to acquire properties and investments in Accra, Tamale, and other areas, in addition to financing The Aludiba Foundation, which prosecutors allege served as a means to launder criminal proceeds. EOCO initiated an investigation after receiving intelligence earlier this year indicating that Hanan had “embezzled hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis” during his tenure as CEO. He was apprehended on June 25, 2025, at his residence in Chain Homes, Airport East, Accra, and subsequently granted police inquiry bail. His wife and several associates were also detained in coordinated operations in Tamale and Accra. The Head of Finance at NAFCO, Richard Sam-Asante, who is alleged to have co-signed fraudulent cheques and facilitated some of the payments, remains at large. Charges and Next Steps Among the 24 counts filed, significant charges include: Stealing (Section 124(1) of Act 29) Fraudulently causing financial loss to the Republic. Money laundering (under Act 1044) Using public office for profit (Section 179C of Act 29) Intentional dissipation of public funds (SMCD 140) The case has been assigned to the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra. The prosecution plans to call numerous witnesses, including EOCO investigators and bank officials, to provide testimony. The matter was filed and signed by the Attorney-General on October 28, 2025. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Like this:Like Loading...
