Former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, has petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, over what he describes as a sustained pattern of unlawful arrests, detention, harassment and alleged violations of his constitutional rights.
In the petition dated July 17, 2026, Mr Abdul-Wahab accused the Attorney-General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) of repeatedly subjecting him to what he described as oppressive treatment since the commencement of his criminal prosecution.
He maintained that he had committed no offence but remained prepared to submit himself to a fair judicial process to clear his name.
The petition followed an earlier complaint by his lawyers dated July 9, 2026, which he said had not received a response.
Four arrests since prosecution began
Mr Abdul-Wahab alleged that he had been arrested and released four times since the case against him began, describing the pattern as a “catch and release” strategy.
He questioned whether the repeated arrests were driven by a genuine prosecutorial purpose or a personal vendetta.
According to him, his first arrest occurred on June 25, 2025, after which he spent more than two weeks in EOCO custody under what he described as an unreasonable GH¢60 million bail condition.
He also accused the Attorney-General of publicly condemning him at a press conference before charges were filed, arguing that the action violated his constitutional right to be presumed innocent.
He was later arraigned before the High Court, Criminal Court 4, presided over by Justice Kocuvie-Tay, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of GH¢100 million with six sureties, four of whom were required to provide landed property.
Mr Abdul-Wahab described the bail conditions as oppressive and manifestly unreasonable.
Charges withdrawn, rearrested after discharge
The former NAFCO CEO said the charges against him were withdrawn on May 5, 2026, approximately seven months into the trial, after his lawyers successfully challenged procedural irregularities in the prosecution’s case.
However, he alleged that shortly after his discharge, EOCO officers, accompanied by armed commandos wearing balaclavas, stormed the court premises and rearrested him.
He said the rearrest was carried out despite his consistent cooperation with the authorities throughout the proceedings.
According to the petition, his lawyers were prevented from seeing him at the EOCO offices, while he was taken to hospital for an illness without his family or legal team being informed.
He said he was eventually released at about 9 p.m. on May 6 without being questioned, and was interviewed by EOCO the following day.
He was subsequently re-arraigned before a specialised court about 11 days later.
Disputed airport arrest
Mr Abdul-Wahab’s latest complaint centres on his arrest at the Accra International Airport on July 4, 2026.
He said the High Court, presided over by Justice Francis A. Achibonga, had on June 29 permitted him to travel to the United Kingdom for a scheduled medical appointment.
According to him, the court directed him to leave Ghana by July 4 and return by July 12 after being satisfied that there was no indication that he would abscond.
He alleged that after clearing immigration and security checks and while preparing to board his flight, armed BNI operatives apprehended him.
Mr Abdul-Wahab described the action as a violation of the court order permitting his travel.
He said he was held for four days without charge, initially by the BNI and later by EOCO.
During that period, he alleged that the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, made social media claims that he had attempted to withdraw money from a frozen bank account.
Mr Abdul-Wahab denied the allegation and said no evidence had been presented identifying the account, the amount involved or the method allegedly used to attempt the withdrawal.
Dispute over seized money, phones and passport
He further alleged that EOCO imposed a new bail condition of GH¢5 million with two sureties after he was transferred from BNI custody.
He described the condition as excessive and intended to frustrate his release.
He also claimed that he was denied access to his lawyers for much of the four-day detention.
According to the petition, EOCO has continued to withhold some of his personal belongings, including £6,700 which he said had been borrowed to finance his travel and medical expenses, two mobile phones and his passport.
He further alleged that his mobile phones were accessed on July 6 and 7 while in the custody of the BNI and EOCO without judicial authorisation.
Calls for intervention
Mr Abdul-Wahab is asking the Attorney-General to direct public officials to refrain from making comments that could prejudice his ongoing case.
He is also seeking assurances that future actions by state agencies will comply with the rule of law and his constitutional rights.
He has further requested that the Attorney-General direct EOCO and the BNI to end what he described as a pattern of harassment against him and his family.
Among his demands is the immediate return of his passport, mobile phones, the £6,700 and other personal belongings allegedly being held by EOCO.
The petition was copied to the Chief Justice.
