The High Court in Accra has dismissed a motion by Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO). Mr. Aludiba sought to strike out the entire charge sheet against him. The court, however, directed the prosecution to amend two specific charges, counts nine and 14, out of the 20 initially presented.
This decision means the corruption trial against Mr. Aludiba will proceed. He, along with his wife Faiza Seidu Wuni, and two corporate entities, faces 24 counts of offences. These charges include stealing and causing financial loss to the State, amounting to over GHS 70 million. The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, July 29, 2026, for the trial to officially begin.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption within state-owned enterprises in Ghana. The alleged financial malfeasance at NAFCO, a critical institution for food security, could impact public trust and government finances. Such cases often lead to increased scrutiny of public sector procurement and financial oversight mechanisms. Ghana's economic stability relies heavily on efficient and transparent management of state resources, making this trial significant.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, signed the charge sheet detailing the allegations. He stated that Mr. Aludiba and Richard Sam-Asante, NAFCO's Head of Finance, allegedly caused a financial loss of GHS 50,879,210 to the state. This loss reportedly occurred through the transfer of GHS 69,616,226.29 to Sawtina Enterprise, a company linked to a NAFCO Regional Manager. Dr. Justice Srem-Sai leads the prosecution.
Investigations revealed that only 20 percent of the GHS 69,616,226.29 transferred to Sawtina Enterprise was used for genuine supplies. Mr. Aludiba allegedly received more than GHS 50 million directly from these transactions. Additionally, he is accused of stealing an extra GHS 10 million from NAFCO. These actions collectively led to substantial financial loss for the state.
Further investigations uncovered other questionable transactions. Between February 2017 and February 2019, GHS 5,495,748.36 was paid from NAFCO funds to Aludiba Enterprise, a business owned by the NAFCO boss. The Attorney-General confirmed that Aludiba Enterprise was not a licensed NAFCO buying company and had no trading history with NAFCO. In July 2022, NAFCO also transferred GHS 251,050 into the bank account of Energy Partners Limited, a company in which Mr. Aludiba owns 80 percent, despite it rendering no services or supplies to NAFCO.
The implications of this trial are far-reaching for Ghana's public finance sector. A conviction could set a precedent for accountability in state institutions. It could also encourage stronger internal controls and oversight within government agencies. The outcome will be closely watched by anti-corruption advocates and the public, as it reflects on the government's commitment to fighting financial crime. The trial's progression on July 29, 2026, will be a key date for stakeholders.