Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has argued that the charge sheet against Hanan Abdul-Wahab in the ongoing 'Republic v Hanan Abdul-Wahab & Another' case is fundamentally defective. Dame, leading Abdul-Wahab's legal team, told the court that the charges lack sufficient particulars. This deficiency prevents the accused person from clearly understanding the allegations and properly preparing a defense.
The defense team filed an application before Specialised Court One, asserting that the prosecution improperly combined separate transactions spanning several years into single charges. This approach, they contend, violates Ghana’s criminal procedure laws. The lawyers highlighted that the Attorney-General’s own affidavit in opposition acknowledges multiple payments and transactions over the review period, which, in their view, strengthens their argument that the prosecution has failed to identify specific acts constituting the alleged offenses.
This legal challenge comes amidst broader concerns about the precision and fairness of criminal prosecutions in Ghana. The case highlights the critical importance of detailed charge sheets in ensuring due process and protecting the rights of the accused. Such legal battles often draw significant public attention, especially when they involve prominent legal figures and allegations of financial impropriety.
The defense further contended that the prosecution cannot rely on the same set of facts to sustain charges of both stealing and defrauding by false pretenses. They argue that the essential elements of each offense must be clearly outlined. On the basis of these arguments, Hanan Abdul-Wahab's lawyers are asking the court to strike out the entire charge sheet. They insist that an accused person should not be required to stand trial on charges that do not meet the legal threshold.
Conversely, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, leading the prosecution, opposed the application. He described the charges as clear and understandable. Dr. Srem-Sai argued that the charge sheet provides adequate information for the accused person to know the case against him. He maintained that it does not need to contain the full details of the evidence the prosecution intends to present at trial.
Justice Francis Apanga Achibonga heard the matter and has adjourned proceedings to July 23, 2026, for a ruling on the defense application. The court’s decision will be pivotal. It will determine whether the charges against Hanan Abdul-Wahab will proceed as they are, or if the prosecution will need to amend or reconsider portions of the case. This ruling could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in Ghana's legal system, particularly regarding the specificity required in charge sheets. The outcome will be closely watched by legal professionals and the public, given the implications for justice and legal procedure in the country.