The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has returned cash and electronic devices seized from former National Food and Buffer Stock Company CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab, his wife, Hajia Faiza Wuni, and their driver following a legal challenge over the continued retention of the items.
The returned property includes £6,700, GH¢2,750, two laptop computers and at least six mobile phones. Some of the items had reportedly been in EOCO’s custody since investigations began in 2025.
Additional property, including cash, one laptop and two mobile phones, was seized on July 4, 2026, when Hanan was arrested at the airport while preparing to travel abroad for medical purposes. Reports indicate that the proposed trip had been authorised by a court.
The latest development followed pressure from Hanan’s legal team, Dame & Partners, which petitioned EOCO Executive Director Raymond Archer and Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine for the release of the belongings.
The lawyers argued that the items had been held for an extended period without sufficient legal justification and maintained that some of the electronic devices contained information needed to prepare their clients’ defence in the ongoing financial crimes case.
The issue also reached the courtroom.
During proceedings on September 29, lead counsel Godfred Yeboah Dame argued that the prosecution should not begin calling witnesses until the accused persons were given access to the seized devices. The court subsequently ruled that the prosecution could not proceed with its first witness until the application concerning the property had been resolved.
EOCO eventually released the disputed items on October 5, 2026.
The development marks another major twist in the ongoing case involving Hanan and his co-accused, who are facing allegations of financial crimes against the state. The allegations remain before the court, and no finding of guilt has been made.
With the seized cash, phones and laptops now returned, attention is expected to shift back to the substantive trial as prosecutors prepare to present their case.
