The High Court has dismissed the application seeking to revoke the travel permission granted to former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba for a trip to the UK, following the withdrawal of the motion by the Deputy Attorney General.
On Thursday, July 16, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, representing the prosecution, attempted to advance the motion but was interrupted by the judge, who deemed the application moot since the granted leave had already expired. This development followed Hanan Abdul-Wahab’s arrest on July 4 while he was attempting to depart the country after receiving court permission for medical treatment.
The prosecution had alleged that he tried to access funds in a frozen bank account, suggesting an intention to flee. Justice Achibonga clarified that the granted travel permit was valid from July 4 to July 12, during which time the accused was required to return his passport to the registry by July 14.
Although the motion to revoke the travel permission was submitted prior to its expiration, the judge confirmed that the timing of the hearing rendered the motion moot. Following this, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai requested to withdraw the motion, which the court subsequently struck out as withdrawn. Godfred Yeboah Dame, lead counsel for Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, then requested the court to order the return of Hanan’s passport and £6,700 that had been seized by the State, but the judge advised them to formally address this matter through the appropriate channels.
Dame accused the Attorney General’s office of deliberately scheduling the hearing for July 16 to hinder his client’s ability to seek necessary medical treatment. However, the judge emphasized that while parties can propose hearing dates, the final scheduling is determined by the Court registry.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, along with his wife Faiza Seidu Wuni, faces charges of theft, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
