Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the actions of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following the re-arrest of former National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, describing the move as an abuse of due process and an act of harassment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker characterised the detention of the couple as “needless” and politically motivated. He further criticised the conduct of EOCO, the Attorney-General, and the government, describing it as inconsistent with the principles of a healthy democratic system.
The couple had been among five individuals previously arraigned before the court over allegations of financial impropriety linked to NAFCO. However, the case encountered procedural difficulties after the court upheld objections raised by the defence, which, according to Afenyo-Markin, exposed weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Subsequently, the prosecution—led by the Attorney-General—opted to withdraw all charges after an attempt to introduce additional witness statements without obtaining leave of the court was successfully challenged by the defence team, headed by Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Despite the discontinuation of the case, EOCO operatives re-arrested Abdul-Wahab and his wife on May 5. Afenyo-Markin noted that the couple had previously been granted bail by the court but were detained without bail following the re-arrest.
He also alleged that legal counsel for the accused persons were denied access to their clients for several hours after the detention, raising further concerns about procedural fairness.
The Minority Leader linked the development to political pressure on the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to demonstrate progress under its anti-corruption initiative, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL). He argued that the re-arrest appeared to be an attempt to sustain the perception of continued action under the programme.
Afenyo-Markin additionally cautioned EOCO Director Raymond Archer to operate strictly within the bounds of the law, warning that the agency risks undermining its institutional credibility if perceived as targeting political opponents.
He has called for the immediate release of the detained individuals, emphasising the need to uphold due process and the rule of law.
