The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice has detailed 21 charges against Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), and four others, over alleged financial crimes amounting to several millions of Ghana cedis.

The charges, filed at the High Court in Accra, cover a wide range of offences, including stealing, money laundering, defrauding by false pretences, fraudulently and intentionally causing financial loss to the Republic, using public office for profit, and intentional dissipation of public funds.

Under Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), the offence of stealing carries a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment, depending on the value and circumstances of the stolen property.

The charge of fraudulently causing financial loss to the Republic, contrary to Section 179A(3)(a) of Act 29, is also punishable by a similar maximum term.

Mr Abdul-Wahab and his alleged accomplices are further charged under Section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), which prescribes severe custodial penalties and forfeiture of assets for persons found guilty of dealing in proceeds of crime.

Additionally, charges under Section 179C(a) of Act 29, relating to the use of public office for profit, may result in imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office, and confiscation of unlawfully acquired assets.

The Attorney-General’s Office noted that these charges reflect the seriousness of alleged misconduct at NAFCO between 2017 and 2025, during which public funds intended for food supply contracts were allegedly diverted to private companies owned or controlled by the accused.

Prosecutors say the offences caused a total financial loss exceeding GH¢65 million to the state.

The case is expected to test Ghana’s anti-corruption and asset recovery frameworks, with the State signalling its readiness to pursue restitution and forfeiture if convictions are secured.

Hearing dates are yet to be announced by the court.