The wife of former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba has filed a habeas corpus application at the High Court in Accra, seeking an order compelling the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) to produce her husband in court and justify his continued detention.
Hajia Faiza Seidu Wuni filed the urgent application on July 6, arguing that Abdul-Wahab’s arrest and detention violate his constitutional rights, including his right to personal liberty and access to legal representation.
According to court documents, Abdul-Wahab was arrested by armed men identifying themselves as BNI officers at the Accra International Airport on July 4, moments before boarding a flight to London for medical treatment.
His wife stated in a sworn affidavit that the former NAFCO CEO had been granted permission by the High Court on June 29 to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment of a worsening eye condition. The court order required him to depart on or before July 4 and return to Ghana by July 14.
She said Abdul-Wahab had completed all immigration and airport departure formalities before he was approached by the officers and taken into custody without any explanation.
According to the application, the former NAFCO boss was also denied the opportunity to contact his lawyer following his arrest.
Hajia Seidu Wuni further stated that efforts by family members to locate Abdul-Wahab immediately after his arrest proved unsuccessful, with several security agencies initially denying having him in custody. She said the family only established the following day that he was being held at the BNI headquarters in Ridge, Accra.
She also alleged that she was prevented from delivering food to her husband after officers informed her that visitors were not allowed on weekends. Lawyers representing Abdul-Wahab were similarly denied access to him, with officials reportedly citing the absence of the required clearance.
The application follows comments made by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem Sai, who said Abdul-Wahab’s arrest was linked to an alleged attempt to access funds in a frozen Republic Bank account through false means.
Dr Srem Sai also disclosed that the Attorney-General intended to challenge the High Court order that permitted Abdul-Wahab to travel abroad.
However, Hajia Seidu Wuni rejected the allegation, insisting that her husband denied attempting to withdraw funds from any frozen account and calling on the state to produce evidence to support the claim.
The application asks the High Court to order the BNI Director and the Attorney-General to produce Abdul-Wahab before the court so that the legality of his detention can be determined.
The Bureau of National Intelligence and the Attorney-General’s Office are yet to file a formal response to the habeas corpus application. The matter is expected to be heard by the High Court in Accra.
