The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, has been charged with allegedly stealing and causing financial loss exceeding GH¢61 million, funds meant for the procurement and supply of food for the school feeding component of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
According to a charge sheet filed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, Aludiba and NAFCO’s Head of Finance, Richard Sam-Asante, who were both signatories to the company’s account, are accused of transferring GH¢69.6 million to Sawtina Enterprise, a company in which James Tieku-Apawu, a NAFCO Regional Manager, holds shares.
While Sawtina Enterprise was contracted to supply food items, investigations revealed that only 20% of the funds were used for legitimate purchases. The remaining amount—over GH¢50 million—was allegedly diverted, with Aludiba personally receiving a substantial portion, resulting in a financial loss of GH¢50.8 million to the state.
In addition, Aludiba is accused of embezzling another GH¢10 million, which he allegedly transferred to companies owned by himself and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
In total, Aludiba, Wuni, Sam-Asante, and two corporate entities—Aludiba Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, and Energy Partners Limited, where Aludiba holds an 80% stake—face 24 charges, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, abuse of office, and intentional misuse of public funds.
The Finance Director, Richard Sam-Asante, is currently on the run, while the accused persons are expected to appear before the High Court later this week.
Details of the Prosecution’s Case
The Attorney-General’s report further revealed that between February 2017 and February 2019, GH¢5.49 million was paid from NAFCO’s accounts to Aludiba Enterprise, a company owned by the former CEO but not licensed to do business with NAFCO.
In July 2022, an additional GH¢251,050 was transferred to Energy Partners Limited, despite the company not providing any goods or services to NAFCO.
Investigations also showed that GH¢4.4 million of NAFCO funds were paid to Alqarni Enterprise, a business owned by Aludiba’s wife, under false claims of food supply deliveries. Between February 2020 and November 2022, Aludiba allegedly deposited GH¢13.2 million into the account of Fa-Hausa Ventures, another business solely owned by Wuni.
Although Aludiba was not formally listed as a partner in Fa-Hausa Ventures, he was found to be a signatory to its Republic Bank (Labone Branch) account. Investigators traced the source of these funds to NAFCO’s transfers through Sawtina Enterprise. The money was allegedly used to purchase properties in Accra, Tamale, and other areas.
Further findings revealed that over GH¢161.4 million from Fa-Hausa Ventures’ account had been invested in securities, financial instruments, and other investment products for the personal benefit of Aludiba and his wife.
