Hanan Abdul-Wahab, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Buffer Stock Company, was arrested at Accra International Airport on July 4, despite a High Court order permitting him to travel. Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has accused the current Attorney-General and his deputy of orchestrating this arrest, calling it a deliberate violation of a court order.
The arrest occurred as Mr. Abdul-Wahab prepared to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical appointment. Justice Achibonga, a Court of Appeal judge sitting as an additional High Court judge, granted him permission to travel from July 4 to July 12. This court decision followed arguments from both the defence and prosecution, including Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Srem Sai, and aligned with precedents allowing accused persons to travel during trial.
This incident fits into a broader pattern of concerns regarding the rule of law and judicial independence in Ghana. There have been previous instances where actions by law enforcement agencies have raised questions about compliance with court directives. Such events can erode public trust in governance alongside potentially impacting investor confidence in a legal system seen as unpredictable.
Mr. Dame strongly rejected claims made by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Srem Sai that Mr. Abdul-Wahab attempted to withdraw money from a frozen bank account. “The allegation by the Deputy Attorney-General that our client attempted ‘to use false means to empty his frozen bank account with Republic Bank …’ is simply untrue,” Mr. Dame stated. He challenged Dr. Sai to provide evidence of any such withdrawal since the court order was issued. Mr. Dame further argued that no valid court order existed to freeze Mr. Abdul-Wahab’s accounts, as earlier freezing orders had lapsed after charges were withdrawn on May 5, 2026. The High Court at Adentan later ruled on May 20, after fresh charges were filed on May 15, that “the re-arrest began a fresh process,” meaning there was no valid freezing order in place.
This legal confrontation signals potential challenges to the authority of the Attorney-General’s office and other law enforcement agencies. Observers will be watching for the outcome of the contempt proceedings. This case could establish important precedents for how judicial orders are respected in Ghana. It could also influence perceptions of the government's commitment to upholding the legal framework, which is crucial for economic stability and foreign investment.
Mr. Dame announced that his legal team would initiate contempt proceedings against the Attorney-General, the Deputy Attorney-General, and the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). He described the arrest as a “blatant and wilful violation of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.” This action underscores the seriousness with which the legal team views the alleged disregard for judicial authority. The BNI’s involvement also draws attention to the conduct of national security agencies in legal processes. Such high-profile cases often impact public discourse on human rights and the separation of powers. The legal community will closely monitor these proceedings for their implications on the justice system.