State drops charges against Ex-Buffer Stock boss and wife, rearrests them

The criminal case against former National Food and Buffer Stock Company boss Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after the state withdrew all charges against them, only for the two to be rearrested shortly afterwards.

The development unfolded in court when Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai informed the judge that the prosecution had decided to discontinue the case against the couple.

Once that announcement was made, the court struck out the charges, bringing their prosecution in the GH¢78 million alleged loss case to an immediate halt. Both had earlier denied all the accusations levelled against them.

The state later explained that the decision was linked to new evidence that had emerged since the case began. According to Dr Srem-Sai, the withdrawal was intended to protect the fairness of the process and ensure that the accused persons received a trial consistent with constitutional standards.

That explanation, however, did not end the matter.

Soon after leaving court as discharged persons, Aludiba and his wife were arrested again, although no immediate details were given about the basis for the new development.

The case itself concerns alleged financial loss tied to the purchase and supply of food items under the school feeding programme. Prosecutors had originally put the amount involved at about GH¢78 million.

The proceedings had already been marked by legal tension even before Tuesday’s twist. In earlier sittings, the prosecution filed witness statements in April but later sought to fall back on statements it had first filed in December 2025, prompting objections and argument in court.

Another point of dispute arose over the presence of an Assistant Staff Officer from EOCO on the prosecution team. Defence lawyers challenged that arrangement, arguing that prosecutorial participation must comply strictly with the law governing representation of the Republic.

Justice Achibonga had earlier responded by directing that the EOCO officer be temporarily removed from the proceedings until the Attorney-General’s Department produced proof of proper authorisation.

Although the charges against Aludiba and his wife have now been struck out, the wider case remains alive, with the other accused persons and companies still standing trial as the prosecution recalibrates its approach.