Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office over the re arrest and continued detention of former National Food Buffer Stock Company Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Wahab Hanan Aludiba, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
In a sharply worded statement, the Minority Leader described the actions of EOCO as “extra judicial harassment” and accused the institution of undermining due process in what he believes is an attempt to salvage the government’s anti corruption campaign under the Operation Recover All Loots initiative.
According to Hon. Afenyo-Markin, the couple’s arrest on May 5, 2026, came shortly after the Attorney-General withdrew charges against them and three others in an ongoing criminal case involving alleged financial losses at the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
He argued that the withdrawal of the charges exposed weaknesses in the prosecution’s case after objections raised by defence lawyers were upheld during proceedings at the Case Management Conference stage.
“The needless and face saving arrest followed one year of arraignment of the two accused persons with three others in court on charges whose weakness and frivolity were exposed by defence counsel”.
Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin
Courtroom Developments Trigger Controversy
The controversy surrounding the case intensified after the prosecution reportedly attempted to introduce fresh witness statements without first obtaining leave of the court.
According to the Minority Leader, the move was challenged by defence counsel led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, with the court subsequently upholding the objection.
Mr Afenyo Markin claimed the Attorney General then opted to discontinue the prosecution after failing to strengthen the case through the disputed witness statements. “The Attorney General’s next move was to withdraw all the charges against the accused persons,” he said.
He insisted that once the charges had been withdrawn, law enforcement authorities should have stepped back to conduct further investigations before considering any future legal action.
Instead, he accused EOCO of acting impulsively by rearresting the former Buffer Stock CEO and his wife almost immediately after their discharge.
Claims of Due Process Violations
The Minority Leader further alleged that the accused persons were detained without clear disclosure of the offences for which they were being held.
He claimed that despite previously being granted bail by the court before the withdrawal of charges, the couple had since been denied bail following their re arrest by EOCO officials.
Mr Afenyo Markin also alleged that lawyers representing the accused were denied access to their clients during several hours spent at the EOCO offices. “Hanan’s lawyers, who were at the offices of EOCO from about 11 am until 8 pm last night, were denied access to him,” he stated.
The Minority Leader described the developments as shameful and inconsistent with democratic governance, arguing that state institutions should not be used to target political opponents.
“I find the conduct of EOCO, the Attorney General and the Government as a whole, in harassing and torturing these innocent citizens of the land, very shameful, reprehensible and most unworthy of a healthy democracy”.
Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin
ORAL Campaign Draws Political Attention
The Buffer Stock case has become one of the most politically charged matters linked to the government’s anti corruption drive. Mr Afenyo Markin accused the government of using law enforcement institutions as propaganda tools to sustain public confidence in the ORAL initiative.
According to him, the Attorney General had previously highlighted the Buffer Stock case during a major press conference as evidence of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
He argued that the re arrest of the accused persons after the collapse of the prosecution’s case appeared to be an attempt to preserve the image of the initiative.
“EOCO’s move in rearresting the accused persons after charges had been withdrawn is clearly a desperate attempt to save the face of the Attorney General and sustain a false impression of continuation of the Government’s failed ORAL promise”.
Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin
The Minority Leader warned against what he described as the politicization of state investigative institutions. He called on EOCO Executive Director Raymond Archer to ensure the agency operates strictly within the limits of the law and due process.
“That important institution of State must not be turned into a rogue outfit for harassing and torturing innocent citizens extra judicially,” he cautioned.
Background to the Buffer Stock Case
The criminal case against Hanan Abdul Wahab Aludiba and others centered on allegations involving more than GH¢78 million reportedly siphoned from the National Food Buffer Stock Company between 2017 and 2025.
The prosecution alleged that portions of the funds were diverted through Sawtina Enterprise and linked entities, with some of the money allegedly used to acquire properties in Accra and Tamale.
The accused persons had faced multiple counts, including theft and money laundering, before the prosecution withdrew the charges following procedural disputes in court. Moments after the charges were withdrawn, officials from EOCO reportedly rearrested Mr Aludiba and his wife for further investigations.
The latest developments have intensified political debate over Ghana’s anti corruption campaign, with opposition figures questioning whether law enforcement institutions are being used fairly and independently.
Mr Afenyo Markin concluded by demanding the immediate release of the former Buffer Stock CEO and his wife. “I call on EOCO and the Attorney General to release Hanan Abdul Wahab and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni immediately. This impunity must stop,” he declared.
