Attorney General Initiates Criminal Proceedings Against Former NAFCO CEO and Others

Strategic Insights -

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has taken legal action against the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, and four others for allegedly stealing, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. The case involves 21 counts of various offences, including stealing, conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences, and the willful dissipation of public funds. The accused are accused of diverting millions of Ghanaian Cedis from NAFCO funds for personal gain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Attorney General has initiated criminal proceedings against Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former CEO of NAFCO, and four others for allegedly stealing and money laundering.
  • The accused face 21 counts of various offences, including stealing, conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences, and the willful dissipation of public funds.
  • The Attorney General alleges that the actions of the accused led to a financial loss of over GHS50.8 million to the Republic of Ghana.
  • Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is alleged to have diverted GHS50.8 million of NAFCO funds, while co-accused Faiza Seidu Wuni is accused of laundering GHS13.2 million through her firm, Fa-Hausa Ventures.
  • The case has been filed at the High Court in Accra, with proceedings expected to begin shortly.
  • The Aludiba Foundation and Energy Partners Limited, both reportedly linked to Abdul-Wahab, have also been charged for their alleged roles in receiving and laundering proceeds from the unlawful transactions.
  • The Attorney General's Office maintains that the actions of the accused led to substantial financial losses to the Republic.

Statistics:

  • Over GHS50.8 million was diverted from NAFCO funds by Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba.
  • GHS5.49 million was transferred to Aludiba Enterprise, the CEO's own company, for allegedly supplying food items to NAFCO.
  • GHS13.2 million was laundered through Fa-Hausa Ventures by co-accused Faiza Seidu Wuni.
  • GHS4.4 million loss was caused to the state through transactions with NAFCO in the name of Alqarni Enterprise.
  • 21 counts of various offences have been brought against the accused.

Sources:

  • GhanaWeb, "NAFCO CEO breaks silence on scandal involving former leadership" (no date mentioned)
  • Charge sheet, "National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) vs. Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba and 4 others" (no date mentioned)
  • Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
  • Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)