Godfred Dame reacts to Court of Appeal’s decision to halt Hanan’s trial

Godfred Yeboah Dame, Lawyer for former National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to suspend his client’s trial, arguing that the charges against him lack sufficient details.

The Court of Appeal on Monday, October 19, 2026, halted proceedings at the High Court pending the determination of Hanan’s appeal challenging alleged defects in the charge sheet.

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Speaking to the media after the ruling, Dame said the trial had been unfair to his client because the charges allegedly failed to specify the individual acts and transactions underlying the sums said to have been stolen.

“We thank God for this,” he said, welcoming the court’s decision to suspend the proceedings.

He said he was not surprised by the ruling, insisting that the charges had placed his client at a disadvantage in defending himself.

"I am not surprised that today the Court of Appeal has halted it because the charges really have been unfair to the accused person. The trial so far has been very unfair to the accused person in the sense that it is more or less like having your hands tied to your back, your eyes blind folded and being asked to fight in a boxing ring,” he said.

Dame argued that the prosecution had not provided adequate particulars to explain the specific acts and payments forming the basis of the allegations or how the alleged offences were committed.

He maintained that the lack of detail undermined his client’s ability to prepare an effective defence.

“That cannot be a fair trial. That is not the kind of criminal justice system our Republic is supposed to have,” he added.

The lawyer further argued that the Constitution guarantees accused persons a fair trial, including access to sufficient information about the allegations they are required to answer.

The Court of Appeal granted the stay after finding that the issues raised by the defence amounted to exceptional circumstances warranting the suspension of the High Court proceedings.

The ruling, however, does not determine the merits of the charges against Hanan and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.

The trial remains on hold until the Court of Appeal determines the appeal challenging the alleged defects in the charge sheet.

NA/ VPO

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