The High Court in Accra has adjourned the criminal trial involving former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, to Monday, August 17, 2026.
The adjournment followed the absence of legal representatives for both accused persons when the case was called.
Mr Aludiba informed the court that his lead counsel, former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, was indisposed and had been admitted to hospital.
Counsel for the second accused, Augustine Obuor, was also absent, while Faiza Wuni told the court that her lawyer was indisposed.
However, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, raised concerns about the explanation for Mr Dame’s absence.
According to him, Mr Dame had previously informed the court that he would be unavailable during the legal vacation and had petitioned the Chief Justice after the trial was scheduled to proceed during the period.
Dr Srem-Sai argued that where illness was being cited as the reason for counsel’s absence, the court ought to be provided with medical evidence to substantiate the claim.
The proceedings also took a new turn after Mr Aludiba informed the court that he had received a copy of an application filed at the Court of Appeal seeking a stay of proceedings in the case.
He told the court that the application had been scheduled for hearing on October 19, 2026, and urged the High Court to grant a longer adjournment to allow the appellate court to determine the matter.
The presiding judge, however, declined to grant the extended adjournment and instead fixed August 17 for the case to resume.
The judge further directed counsel for the first accused to appear on the next date and address the court on the pending application for a stay of proceedings.
The latest development means the High Court is expected to first hear from Mr Aludiba’s legal team on the implications of the Court of Appeal application before determining how the substantive criminal trial should proceed.
