The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over the re-arrest of former National Food and Buffer Stock Company Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, and his wife, describing the move as politically motivated and an abuse of state power.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, and signed by the party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP accused the government of using state institutions to intimidate political opponents.
The party questioned why the couple remained in detention after the Attorney-General had earlier withdrawn charges against them in an ongoing criminal case.
According to the NPP, lawyers representing the couple have allegedly been denied access to them for more than 24 hours, a development the party says violates their constitutional rights and undermines due process.
“Access to legal counsel is not a favour granted by the state; it is a constitutional guarantee,” portions of the statement said, adding that EOCO’s actions suggest “state-sponsored intimidation.”
The NPP further argued that Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife had consistently complied with all bail conditions and attended court proceedings since their initial arrest last year, making their continued detention unjustifiable.
The party also raised concerns about the Attorney-General’s decision to discontinue the case, saying it casts doubt on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence.
It warned that actions perceived as politically driven could damage public trust in the country’s justice system and weaken democratic governance.
The NPP therefore called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to ensure that state institutions operate within the confines of the law and respect the constitutional rights of citizens.
The party is demanding the immediate release of the former Buffer Stock boss and his wife, insisting that justice must be pursued transparently and fairly.
The latest re-arrest by EOCO has reignited public debate over the handling of the case, especially following the Attorney-General’s earlier withdrawal of charges.
