Ex‑NAFCO Boss Petitions AG: ‘I’m Being Harassed, Detained and Tortured’ — Abdul‑Wahab Demands Return of Seized Passport, Phones and £6,700

Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul‑Wahab, has petitioned the Attorney‑General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, accusing his office and state security agencies of subjecting him to sustained harassment, unlawful detention and torture since his prosecution began.

The petition, dated July 17, 2026, follows an earlier letter from his lawyers on July 9 alleging rights violations and the unlawful seizure of his money by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) — a letter he says went unanswered.

In the strongly worded petition, Abdul‑Wahab insists he has committed no offence and remains ready to submit to any fair judicial process. He expressed confidence in the judiciary but accused the Attorney‑General’s office, EOCO and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) of systematically denying him due process.

He recounted his initial arrest on June 25, 2025, and detention in EOCO custody for more than two weeks under what he described as an unjustified GH¢60 million bail condition. He also alleged that the Attorney‑General publicly condemned him at a press conference before charges were filed, violating his constitutional right to be presumed innocent.

Abdul‑Wahab was later charged before the High Court, Criminal Court 4, presided over by Justice Kocuvie‑Tay, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted GH¢100 million bail with six sureties — four required to provide landed property. He described the conditions as oppressive and unreasonable.

All charges were withdrawn on May 5, 2026, seven months into the trial, after successful legal challenges to procedural irregularities.

However, according to the petition, immediately after his discharge, EOCO officers accompanied by armed commandos in balaclavas stormed the court premises and rearrested him, despite his consistent cooperation with investigators.

He alleged that his lawyers were prevented from seeing him at EOCO’s offices and that he was taken to hospital without his family or legal team being informed, even though they were present and waiting.

Abdul‑Wahab said he was released around 9 pm on May 6 without being questioned, and only interviewed the following day.

He was re‑arraigned before the Specialised Court about 11 days later, presided over by Justice Francis A. Achibonga. On June 29, the High Court granted him permission to travel to the UK for medical treatment, ordering him to leave by July 4 and return by July 12.

But while preparing to board his flight on July 4 at the Accra International Airport, after clearing immigration and security checks, he was apprehended by armed BNI operatives — an act he described as a blatant violation of the subsisting court order.

He said he was held for four days without charge, first by BNI and then EOCO, during which time the Deputy Attorney‑General, Dr. Justice Srem‑Sai, publicised claims on social media that he had attempted to withdraw funds from a frozen account. Abdul‑Wahab denied the allegation, saying no evidence has ever been produced.

He further alleged that EOCO imposed a fresh GH¢5 million bail with two sureties, which he described as excessive and intended to frustrate his release. He also claimed he was denied access to his lawyers for most of the four‑day detention.

The petition states that EOCO continues to withhold his belongings, including £6,700 in borrowed medical and travel funds, his two mobile phones, and his passport — which should be deposited with the court registrar. He also alleged that his phones were accessed without judicial authorisation on July 6 and 7 while in custody.

Describing the repeated arrests as a “catch‑and‑release” strategy, Abdul‑Wahab said he has been arrested and released four times since the case began, questioning whether the actions were driven by a personal grudge rather than any legitimate prosecutorial purpose.

He is asking the Attorney‑General to ensure public officials refrain from prejudicial commentary, that all future actions respect constitutional rights, and that EOCO and BNI halt what he calls a pattern of harassment. He also demands the immediate return of his passport, phones and funds.

The petition was copied to the Chief Justice.