A fresh legal battle is brewing between the Attorney-General’s Office and lawyers for former National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, following his arrest at the Kotoka International Airport despite a High Court order permitting him to travel abroad.
The legal team, Messrs. Dame & Partners, has announced plans to file contempt proceedings against the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, and the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), accusing them of deliberately violating a lawful court order.
Also read: Former NAFCO CEO Hanan re-arrested after ‘alleged attempt to empty frozen account’ at Republic Bank
The threat was contained in a press release dated Sunday, July 5, 2026, and signed by counsel for Hanan Abdul-Wahab, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Illegal arrest
According to the lawyers, the High Court in Accra had, on June 29, 2026, permitted their client to travel to the United Kingdom from July 4 to July 12 to attend a scheduled appointment with his optician.
The defence argued that the application was granted after the court heard submissions from both the prosecution and defence, including arguments presented by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai.
They insist that the travel approval remains a valid court order and should have been respected by all state institutions.
However, Mr Hanan Abdul-Wahab was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport before boarding his flight, an action his lawyers say amounts to a blatant disregard for the authority of the judiciary.
AG’s allegations
The legal team also dismissed claims by the Deputy Attorney-General that Mr Hanan attempted to use fraudulent means to access money in a frozen Republic Bank account.
According to the lawyers, no evidence exists to support the allegation, challenging the Attorney-General’s Office to produce proof that their client withdrew or attempted to withdraw funds after obtaining permission to travel.
They further argued that there is currently no valid court order freezing Hanan Abdul-Wahab’s bank accounts.
The lawyers explained that the previous freezing orders lapsed after the Attorney-General withdrew the initial criminal charges against their client on May 5, 2026.
Although fresh charges were subsequently filed, they maintain that the High Court ruled that the new prosecution constituted a separate legal process, meaning the earlier freezing orders no longer applied.
Contempt
Messrs. Dame & Partners accused the Attorney-General and his deputy of misleading the public and unlawfully directing law enforcement officers to arrest their client despite the court’s express authorisation for him to travel.
The lawyers said they would commence contempt proceedings against the Attorney-General, Deputy Attorney-General and the Director of the BNI for what they described as the deliberate violation of a court order.
They also alleged that the arrest forms part of a pattern of intimidation and harassment against their client.
The latest development adds another layer of controversy to the ongoing criminal case involving the former NAFCO CEO, who is facing multiple charges, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, defrauding by false pretences and abuse of public office.
The High Court is expected to continue hearing the case on July 15, 2026, while attention now turns to the anticipated legal challenge over the arrest.