Lawyers for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) CEO Abdul-Wahab Hanan and his wife, Faiza Sayyid Wuni, report being denied access to their clients for over 24 hours following their re-arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The couple was re-apprehended shortly after the Attorney General’s office withdrew all charges against them, citing newly discovered evidence.
Legal Access Denied Following Re-arrest
The legal team, headed by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah-Dame, expressed strong concerns over the lack of access to their clients. “They have been denied access to counsel. Junior colleagues of mine who are at EOCO say that as of about 11 o’clock, they have not been given access to them. They have not been allowed to see their clients,” Yeboah-Dame stated in an interview with JoyNews.
The situation arose after the Attorney General’s office decided to drop charges against Hanan, Wuni, and other co-accused individuals. This withdrawal was reportedly based on fresh evidence that necessitated a review of the case.
Allegations of Illness and Due Process Concerns
During the re-arrest process, Abdul-Wahab Hanan reportedly fell ill and required medical attention before being returned to EOCO custody. His lawyers confirmed he remains in EOCO’s custody at their office, but access to legal representation has still not been granted.
Yeboah-Dame emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional rights. “This is not a healthy practice. If the Republic has a genuine case against a person, they ought to abide by due process and bring the person before court with all the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Ghana, and let the case proceed,” he urged.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
The legal team indicated that they are actively working to engage with the relevant authorities to resolve the access issue. The situation raises questions about the procedures followed by EOCO in re-arresting individuals after charges have been dropped and the extent to which constitutional rights, including the right to legal counsel, are being upheld.
The withdrawal of charges followed by an immediate re-arrest, coupled with the denial of legal access, suggests a complex legal maneuver. This development could impact how future cases involving dropped charges and subsequent re-arrests are handled in Ghana.
Watchlist: Adherence to Legal Procedures
Moving forward, attention will be on how authorities respond to the lawyers’ concerns and whether access to Mr. Hanan and Ms. Wuni is granted promptly. The legal community and the public will be observing the adherence to due process and constitutional safeguards in this unfolding situation. The grounds for the fresh evidence and the basis for the re-arrest will also be critical points to monitor as the case progresses.
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