Ghana Deputy AG: Challenges Hannan Aliddiba Medical Reports

• Ghana's Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, challenged medical reports and letters submitted by defense counsel in a financial malfeasance trial.
• The defense, representing former NAFCO CEO Hannan Abdul-Wahab Aliddiba and his wife, sought adjournments citing counsel's ill health, including Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame.
• Dr. Srem-Sai highlighted deficiencies such as a lack of evidence for illness claims and a medical report signed without indicating a licensed medical officer.
• The court directed Aliddiba's counsel to formally place a medical report, previously only shown to the judge, onto the court’s docket for proper record-keeping.
• The case, involving 20 counts including stealing and money laundering, was adjourned to August 26, 2026, with the accused remaining on bail after pleading not guilty.

The court emphasized the necessity of proper documentation for all adjournment requests, directing that the medical report be formally placed on the court’s docket to ensure a fair and just determination of future proceedings.

Ghana's Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, has raised significant objections to medical reports and accompanying letters submitted by defense counsel in a high-profile case involving alleged financial malfeasance. The challenge specifically targets the submissions made on behalf of Hannan Abdul-Wahab Aliddiba, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, who are currently standing trial.

The core of the dispute arose when both Aliddiba and Wuni informed the court that their respective lawyers were unable to attend proceedings due to ill health, prompting requests for adjournment. Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, counsel for Mr. Aliddiba, communicated his inability to appear due to illness, with Wuni's legal representative making a similar plea. Dr. Srem-Sai, however, meticulously examined these submissions, asserting that they lacked the necessary substantiation required for such a critical legal proceeding.

Dr. Srem-Sai's detailed review of the defense's documentation revealed specific deficiencies. He pointed out that the letter from counsel for the first accused, Hannan Aliddiba, contained no evidence whatsoever to support the claim of illness. Furthermore, the medical report submitted by counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, was found to be problematic as the individual who signed it did not indicate whether they were a licensed medical officer, thereby questioning the Ghana court medical certificate validity.

Beyond the immediate documentation, the Deputy Attorney General also invoked professional standards, stating that legal ethics and rules governing law firms mandate lawyers to operate within established firms alongside other legal professionals, rather than functioning as 'one-man firms.' Dr. Srem-Sai expressed concern that the defense's conduct, particularly the mention of seemingly prolonged health conditions, appeared to be a deliberate attempt to dictate the pace of the proceedings. He urged the court to issue orders that would prevent the trial from stalling due to these health-related claims, emphasizing the need to maintain the momentum of justice.

In response to the Deputy Attorney General's challenge, the court acknowledged that while counsel for Mr. Aliddiba had indeed sought an adjournment on health grounds, and had even approached the bench to show the judge a medical report, this document had not been formally filed. Crucially, the medical report was neither on the court’s docket nor attached to the letter written by Aliddiba’s counsel, meaning it was not part of the official court record.

The trial judge subsequently issued a clear directive, instructing Aliddiba’s counsel to ensure that the medical report is properly placed on the court’s docket. This procedural requirement was deemed essential to form a complete and accurate court record. The judge underscored that such proper documentation is vital for the court to make a fair and just determination when considering any future requests for adjournments, whether submitted by lawyers or the accused persons themselves, ensuring transparency and adherence to due process.

The underlying case against Hannan Abdul-Wahab Aliddiba and Faiza Seidu Wuni involves serious allegations of financial malfeasance, with the couple facing a total of 20 counts. These charges include stealing, money laundering, using public office for profit, dishonestly receiving, and causing financial loss to the state, all stemming from their alleged roles in the purchase and supply of foodstuffs under the National School Feeding Programme.

Both Aliddiba and Wuni have entered pleas of not guilty to all charges and are currently out on bail as the legal proceedings continue. Following the discussions and the court's directive regarding the medical reports, the matter was ultimately adjourned to August 26, 2026, allowing for the proper filing of documentation and the continuation of the trial.

Source: Original reporting via GNA