The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has adjourned the trial of former Chief Executive Officer of the National Buffer Stock Company, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, after court proceedings were delayed by the lengthy judgment delivered in the case involving New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The court was unable to hear the case as scheduled after spending several hours delivering its judgment in the separate illegal mining trial involving Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited.
Couple faces financial crime charges
Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, are standing trial over allegations that they orchestrated a scheme to divert public funds intended for the National Buffer Stock Company and the School Feeding Programme for their personal benefit.
According to the prosecution, the couple’s actions allegedly caused financial loss to the state through the handling of funds linked to the two public programmes.
The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges and continue to contest the allegations before the court.
Hearing rescheduled
The High Court has fixed a new date to continue the substantive hearing of the case after proceedings were interrupted by the delivery of the Wontumi judgment.
The trial forms part of ongoing efforts by state prosecutors to pursue alleged financial crimes involving public resources.
The case has attracted public interest because of Hanan Abdul-Wahab’s former role as Chief Executive Officer of the National Buffer Stock Company, a key state institution responsible for supporting food security and implementing the National Buffer Stock and School Feeding programmes.
