The head of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Raymond Archer, has backed the fresh detention of former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, stating that his agency acted lawfully and followed due procedure.
Speaking on Joy News on Saturday, May 9, Mr. Archer dismissed claims that EOCO mishandled the matter. He said the office showed restraint and fairness throughout, despite the friction around the arrest and the court process that followed.
“The first case was withdrawn and they were under arrest and we could have held them for 48 hours, and we held them for less than 48 hours. We did not breach any process in holding them. We were rather magnanimous in staying late till 9 p.m., to ensure that due process would go on,” he stated.
Mr. Archer also noted that one key difficulty during the process was what he called efforts by some people to secure preferential treatment for the accused due to their political and legal ties.
“The only problem I had with this issue was that when they [the lawyers for Hanan] came, they wanted everything to stop and listen to Hanan because they thought a red carpet had to be laid for the former Attorney General, and I don’t tolerate that kind of mindset,” he added.
His remarks come amid public discussion over the rearrest of Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba after all charges against him and four others were dropped on Tuesday, May 5.
EOCO first detained Hanan and his wife, Faiza Wuni, in June 2025 over claims of financial wrongdoing tied to their time at the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
After investigations, the Attorney General filed formal charges against the suspects in October 2025. But on Tuesday, May 5, the Attorney General withdrew all charges against Hanan, his wife Faiza Wuni and three other defendants.
Even after the charges were dropped, Hanan was detained again shortly after. Raymond Archer insists EOCO stayed within the law and adhered to required legal steps in managing the case.
