Attorney General Seeks to Revoke Hanan Aludiba's UK Travel Order in Buffer Stock Case

The Attorney General has applied to the High Court to set aside an earlier order permitting Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the first accused person in the ongoing Buffer Stock criminal case, to travel to the United Kingdom for specialist medical treatment following the emergence of what prosecutors describe as significant new developments.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the application was filed after Mr. Aludiba's arrest and is based on material facts that only came to the prosecution's attention after the High Court granted him permission on June 29, 2026, to travel outside Ghana.

The prosecution argues that the newly discovered information substantially changes the circumstances under which the court exercised its discretion and warrants a reconsideration of the travel order.

Court documents filed by the Attorney General state that investigators have uncovered developments which, in their view, raise serious concerns about Mr. Aludiba's compliance with existing court orders and the integrity of the ongoing criminal proceedings.

According to an affidavit supporting the application, the first accused allegedly attempted to use an order issued by a differently constituted High Court in separate legal proceedings to gain access to funds held in bank accounts that remain frozen under valid orders secured by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The prosecution contends that the alleged action contravenes Section 37 of the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804), which governs the handling of assets that are subject to lawful freezing orders.

The Attorney General's Office said the financial institution involved declined the attempted withdrawal after identifying that the accounts remained under court-ordered restrictions.

The bank subsequently informed the investigative authorities about the alleged attempt.

According to prosecutors, the attempted withdrawal occurred shortly before Mr. Aludiba was scheduled to depart Ghana for medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

The prosecution argues that the timing of the incident has heightened concerns over the accused's willingness to comply with court directives and whether he would return to Ghana to continue standing trial if allowed to leave the country.

The Attorney General maintains that these developments were not presented before the High Court when it granted the travel request.

The Office believes the newly discovered facts could materially influence the court's assessment of whether the accused should be permitted to travel outside Ghana while criminal proceedings remain pending.

As a result, the Attorney General has formally asked the High Court to review and set aside its previous order, arguing that doing so would be in the interest of justice and the proper administration of the law.

The Attorney General's Office emphasized that the application is a lawful procedural step available under Ghana's judicial system whenever significant changes in circumstances arise after a court has issued an order.

It stressed that the application is not intended to prejudge the substantive criminal case against Mr. Aludiba.

The Office further noted that the accused continues to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba has since been granted bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The criminal proceedings in the Buffer Stock case are expected to continue while the High Court considers the Attorney General's application to revoke the travel permission.

The outcome of the application could determine whether the accused will be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment or remain within the jurisdiction pending the conclusion of the trial.