The Accra High Court has granted GH¢150 million bail to the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Mr Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, and his wife.
Mr Aludiba was granted GH¢100 million bail with six sureties, four of which must be justified with landed property.
His wife, Mrs Faiza Seidu Wuni, was admitted to GH¢50 million bail with four sureties, three to be justified within the jurisdiction.
The Court ordered all sureties to deposit copies of their Ghana Cards with the Court Registry and to update the Court on any change of address.
Mr Aludiba is accused of stealing and causing financial loss of over GH¢60 million to the State, funds meant for the purchase and supply of foodstuffs under the Free Senior High School programme.
Mrs Wuni is standing trial alongside her husband for allegedly using her business, Fa-Hausa Ventures, to launder the stolen funds.
The Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay, directed both accused persons to report to Police investigators every Wednesday until the final determination of the case.
They are to reappear in Court on November 27, 2025.
The couple pleaded not guilty to charges including stealing, fraudulently causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, dishonestly receiving, and dissipation of public funds.
Mr Sam-Asante, Finance Director of NAFCO and alleged accomplice, is currently on the run.
Mr Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, counsel for the accused, cited Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, stating that “a person charged with a criminal offence is innocent until proven guilty.”
He said his clients had complied with all conditions set by the Economic and Organised Crime Office and would avail themselves for trial.
Dr Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney-General, did not oppose the bail application but urged the Court to consider the gravity of the offences.
The prosecution’s investigations revealed that GH¢161,459,987.27 was deposited into Fa-Hausa Ventures’ account and allegedly invested in financial instruments and securities for personal gain.
Mr Aludiba and Mr Sam-Asante, signatories to NAFCO’s account, allegedly caused a financial loss of GH¢50,879,210 by transferring GH¢69,616,226.29 to Sawtina Enterprise, a company linked to NAFCO Regional Manager Mr James Tieku-Apawu.
Only 20 per cent of the funds were used for genuine supplies, with Mr Aludiba allegedly receiving over GH¢50 million directly.
In addition to the GH¢50 million, Mr Aludiba is alleged to have misappropriated an extra GH¢10 million, transferring funds to his own companies and those of his wife.
Mr Aludiba, Mrs Wuni, Mr Sam-Asante, and two corporate entities-Aludiba Foundation and Energy Partners Limited- face 24 counts of offences.
Between February 2017 and February 2019, GH¢5,495,748.36 was paid from NAFCO to Aludiba Enterprise, a company owned by Mr Aludiba, though it was not a licensed NAFCO buying company.
In July 2022, GH¢251,050 was transferred to Energy Partners Limited, which had not rendered any services to NAFCO.
Further investigations revealed that GH¢4,401,831.58 was paid from NAFCO to Alqarni Enterprise, a company owned by Mrs Wuni, under the false claim of supplying foodstuffs.
Between February 2020 and November 2022, Mr Aludiba deposited GH¢13,213,501.52 into Fa-Hausa Ventures’ account, where he is a signatory despite not being a formal partner.
The funds were traced to transfers from NAFCO through Sawtina Enterprise and were allegedly used to purchase properties in Accra, Tamale, and other locations.
The Attorney-General stated that over GH¢161 million in Fa-Hausa Ventures’ account was invested in financial instruments and securities for the personal benefit of Mr Aludiba, Mrs Wuni, and their associates.
Source: GNA
The post Former National Food Buffer Stock CEO and wife granted GH¢150m bail appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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