The Minority in Parliament has criticised the arrest and bail conditions imposed on Alhaji Abdul Hannan Wahab, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate for Pusiga in the 2024 elections.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, the Caucus expressed deep concern over what it described as the “harsh and humiliating” treatment of Mr. Wahab and his wife, who were both picked up in a coordinated arrest operation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Wednesday, June 25, in Accra and Tamale.
The former NAFCO boss and his wife are reportedly under investigation for alleged tax evasion, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the State.
However, the Minority insists that the charges are yet to be proven and decried the arrest as a move that “treated them as though they were fugitives.”
Mr. Wahab was granted bail of GHS 50 million with two sureties both to be justified. His wife was also granted bail of GHS 30 million, with two sureties, one of whom must be justified.
The Minority contends that the bail conditions are excessive and unjustified.
“Bail is not supposed to be a punishment or a pre-conviction sentence,” the statement noted, citing Section 96 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), and the Kpebu No. 2 v Attorney-General case, both of which affirm that bail must be reasonable and consider the accused’s financial circumstances.
The Minority further alleged that the move forms part of a broader pattern of political persecution under the current NDC administration, warning that such actions compromise the integrity of state institutions.
“We urge the Acting Executive Director of EOCO, Mr. Raymond Archer, to act with integrity. The use of state institutions to intimidate political opponents must stop,” the statement emphasized.
While affirming their commitment to accountability, the Minority called for a fair application of the law and urged civil society, religious leaders, the media, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to speak out against what they described as “creeping institutional abuse.”
They demanded an immediate review of the bail conditions to ensure they align with justice and fairness.
“Ghana must rise above the politics of revenge and retaliation,” the statement concluded. “Let us protect the integrity of our state institutions and free them from political abuse.”