The Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra has dismissed an ex-parte application filed by lawyers for former National Food Buffer Stock Company [NAFCO] Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, seeking his immediate release from custody.Presiding judge Justice Barbara Tetteh-Charway ruled on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that the court could not grant the order without first hearing from the respondents – the Bureau of National Investigations [BNI] and the Attorney General.LAWYERS CITE UNLAWFUL DETENTIONThe application was led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Counsel argued that Mr. Aludiba had been unlawfully detained since his arrest on July 4, 2026, without being charged. They asked the court to compel the BNI and the Attorney General to produce him and justify his continued detention, describing it as an urgent matter and a breach of his constitutional rights.Mr. Dame told the court that more than 78 hours had elapsed since the arrest, which he said violated Article 14(3) of the 1992 Constitution requiring that a person arrested be charged within 48 hours.He further argued that an ex-parte order would not prevent the state from later explaining the basis for the detention.COURT DIRECTS MOTION ON NOTICEJustice Tetteh-Charway, however, held that the allegations were serious and required the respondents to be heard first. She explained that the court did not have the full facts and it would be improper to make any order without giving the BNI and Attorney General an opportunity to respond.The judge subsequently directed the legal team to proceed with a motion on notice that had already been filed. The case has been adjourned to Thursday, July 10, 2026, for hearing.BACKGROUNDThe arrest comes days after Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, disclosed in a Facebook post on Sunday, July 4, 2026, that Mr. Aludiba was picked up at the Kotoka International Airport while allegedly attempting to access funds in a frozen bank account as he prepared to leave the country.According to Dr. Srem-Sai, the former NAFCO CEO had earlier obtained permission from the High Court to travel abroad for a few days, despite currently standing trial on charges of stealing and causing financial loss to the Republic.
