The State has indicated that it will call James Tieku-Apawu as a prosecution witness in the case involving former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, who are accused of causing financial loss of more than GH¢50 million to the State.
According to the prosecution, investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) revealed that about GH¢70 million was transferred from NAFCO accounts into accounts belonging to SAWTINA Enterprise, a company owned by Mr Tieku-Apawu.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that the transactions, numbering 86, occurred between October 2019 and September 2023 through Ecobank and Republic Bank accounts.
He said investigations showed that Mr Tieku-Apawu approached Aludiba in 2019 seeking approval to supply food items to NAFCO, although regulations permitted only licensed buying companies to engage in such transactions.
The prosecution alleged that SAWTINA Enterprise received more than GH¢78 million from NAFCO, but only about 20 per cent represented genuine food supplies. The remaining funds were allegedly redirected to Aludiba, his businesses, his wife’s businesses and the acquisition of landed properties in prime areas of Accra and elsewhere.
The accused persons are facing multiple charges, including defrauding by false pretences, stealing, and money laundering, and causing financial loss to the State. They have pleaded not guilty.
The court granted Aludiba bail in the sum of GH¢60 million with two justified sureties, while his wife was granted bail of GH¢3.5 million with similar conditions.
Both accused persons have also been placed on stop lists, ordered to deposit their passports at the court registry and report to EOCO every two weeks.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
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