News
Most of the evidence came from their defence — Deputy Attorney-General rejects NPP’s political persecution claims in Wontumi Case
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Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai has dismissed claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was politically motivated.
Speaking on TV3 yesterday, Dr. Srem-Sai described the party’s claims as “shocking,” insisting that the evidence relied upon by the court largely came from Chairman Wontumi’s own defence.
According to him, the judge’s decision was based on evidence presented by defence witnesses, statements made by the accused person, and his police statements.
“Most of the evidence that the judgment relied on came from their defence,” Dr. Srem-Sai stated.
He explained that the materials presented by the defence formed the basis for the court’s conclusions, making it difficult to support claims that the conviction amounted to political persecution.
Dr. Srem-Sai argued that the NPP’s reaction was political rather than legal.
He noted that the party held a press conference and described the conviction as political persecution before members had even obtained a copy of the judgment.
According to him, it was unlikely the party would withdraw its earlier position after reading the judgment.
“They had not even seen the judgment when they made those claims. Now that they have seen it, they are unlikely to come back and admit they were wrong,” he said.
Dr. Srem-Sai further stated that, so far, no one has identified any specific part of the judgment that demonstrates a serious legal error.
He maintained that the conviction was based on the evidence before the court and not on political considerations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Lawyers for former NAFCO Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, say they will file an appeal despite a High Court directive for the Attorney General to amend two counts of defrauding by false pretences in the ongoing case.
The court on Wednesday ordered the AG to amend the two charges in the case involving the former NAFCO CEO and co-accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Hanan Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he said.
The case is part of ongoing prosecutions linked to alleged financial irregularities at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
The High Court’s directive means the prosecution will have to revise aspects of the charge sheet before the trial proceeds further.
Background
Counsel for former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, led by Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application seeking to have the charges against their client dismissed.
They contend the charges are fundamentally flawed and violate his right to a fair trial.
The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are valid and that the accused ought to face trial.
Lawyers for Hanan’s wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, led by Augustine Obour, who would also benefit if the application succeeded, yielded their time to the lead counsel for the first accused.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
High Court rejects dismissal request in NAFCO Case, orders prosecution to amend 2 of 16 Charges Against former CEO
The High Court has declined a request by lead counsel for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to dismiss charges against him, but has directed the Attorney General to amend two of the 16 counts filed against him.
Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, ruled today that while the prosecution must revise Counts 9 and 14, the trial will proceed on all charges.
This means the trial of the couple will continue on a combined 20 counts.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is facing 16 counts, while his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, is facing 4 counts. Both pleaded not guilty on May 18, 2026 and are currently on bail.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, former Attorney General and lead counsel for the first accused, had argued for the dismissal of the charges. Reacting after the ruling, he said the decision was not sound and indicated plans to file an appeal.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he stated.
Augustines Obuor is lead counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, whiles the Republic was represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at NAFCO and is being closely watched as part of government’s efforts to hold public officials accountable.
The court has directed the prosecution to effect the amendments to Counts 9 and 14 before the trial proceeds further.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
