Ex-Buffer Stock CEO and Wife Face 24 Charges Over Alleged GH₵78 Million Theft

The Attorney-General has filed multiple criminal charges against Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), his wife Faiza Seidu Wuni, and three others over the alleged theft and laundering of over GH₵78 million in public funds.

The accused, including The Aludiba Foundation, Energy Partners Limited, and Richard Sam-Asante (who is currently on the run), face 24 counts of various crimes, including stealing, money laundering, fraudulently causing financial loss to the Republic, using public office for personal gain, and the intentional dissipation of public funds.

The charges, filed at the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra, involve an elaborate scheme of embezzlement and financial manipulation allegedly carried out between February 2017 and February 2025, during Aludiba’s tenure as NAFCO’s CEO.

Alleged Diversion of Funds

According to the charge sheet, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is accused of stealing more than GH₵50.8 million from NAFCO by making payments to Sawtina Enterprise, a company owned by one of NAFCO’s regional managers, James Tieku-Apawu. Investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) revealed that approximately 80% of the transfers made to Sawtina had no corresponding supply of goods, with more than GH₵50 million traced to Aludiba, his wife, and their associated companies.

Payments to Family-Run Businesses

Further investigations revealed that Aludiba directed additional payments to:

• GH₵5.49 million to Aludiba Enterprise, his personal business;
• GH₵4.4 million to Alqarni Enterprise, a business owned by his wife, Faiza Wuni;
• GH₵251,050 to Energy Partners Limited, a company under his control.

EOCO found that none of these companies were licensed suppliers to NAFCO, and no legitimate transactions were linked to these payments.

Money Laundering and Property Acquisitions

The prosecution claims that between 2020 and 2022, Aludiba transferred over GH₵13.2 million from NAFCO funds into Fa-Hausa Ventures, a business registered in his wife’s name. Both Hanan and Faiza were listed as signatories to the company’s bank account. These funds were allegedly used to purchase properties and investments in Accra, Tamale, and other areas, as well as to finance The Aludiba Foundation, which the prosecution claims was used as a vehicle for laundering the proceeds of crime.

EOCO began investigating the case after receiving intelligence earlier this year that Hanan had embezzled large sums during his tenure as CEO. Aludiba was arrested on June 25, 2025, at his residence in Chain Homes, Airport East, Accra, and was later granted police inquiry bail. His wife and other accomplices were arrested in coordinated operations in Tamale and Accra.

Richard Sam-Asante, NAFCO’s Head of Finance, who allegedly co-signed fraudulent cheques and facilitated some of the payments, remains at large.

Charges and Next Steps

The 24 charges filed against the accused include:

• Stealing (Section 124(1) of Act 29)
• Fraudulently causing financial loss to the Republic
• Money laundering (under Act 1044)
• Using public office for profit (Section 179C of Act 29)
• Intentional dissipation of public funds (SMCD 140)

The case has been assigned to the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra, and the prosecution will call several witnesses, including EOCO investigators and bank officials, to testify.

The case was filed and signed by the Attorney-General on October 28, 2025.