The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for a review of the bail conditions of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul Hannan Wahab and his wife.

“Mr Wahab must be released on terms that uphold both his dignity and the principles of justice,” it said.

It said the bail of GH¢80 million for the two must be reasonable, fair, and consistent with the law, not an indirect form of punishment.

Addressing the press in Parliament last Tuesday, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagye, said, “Ghana must rise above this politics of revenge and retaliation, and no public servant should be punished simply for serving under a different administration.

“Let us protect the integrity of our state institutions and free them from political abuse. Enough of the political harassment, persecution and intimidation,” she said.

Unacceptable  

The Deputy Minority Leader said the caucus had taken serious note of the arrest and the bail conditions imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Mr Wahab.

She said on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, EOCO conducted a coordinated arrest operation in both Accra and Tamale, picking up Mr Wahab and his wife as though they were fugitives.

She said the two were being investigated for alleged tax evasion, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state, saying that “these are still allegations and no charges have been proven”.

She said Mr Wahab was granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties, both of whom must be justified.

“His wife was similarly granted bail at GH¢30 million, with two sureties, one to be justified.

“We find this unacceptable as bail is not supposed to be a punishment or a pre-conviction sentence. 

Humiliating treatment

The MP for Asokwa said section 96 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), and the ruling in the case of Kpebu No. 2 v Attorney-General made it clear that bail conditions must be reasonable.

Ms Appiagye said Mr Wahab was not a flight risk, saying his track record of public service spoke for itself.

“He has served this nation with the utmost honour and diligence and is a family man, not a criminal,” she said.

Emphasising that EOCO serves Ghana and not political interests, the Deputy Minority Leader said the Minority was not against accountability.

She, however, stated that if anyone was suspected of wrongdoing, the law must take its course.

“But what we are against is the misuse of investigative powers to score political points, as that is not democracy,” she added.