The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul-Wahab Hanan, has petitioned the High Court to overturn a freezing order placed on four of his properties by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In an affidavit filed in support of his application, Mr Hanan argues that EOCO acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally by freezing assets that he either acquired before his tenure at NAFCO or has no legal interest in.
According to the affidavit, the properties affected by the freezing order include a three-bedroom house at Kpalsi in Tamale (GPS NS-056-9690), an uncompleted storey building at Gumani, a 0.27-acre plot at Estate Junction, Tamale, and a 0.29-acre plot at Workers College, Tamale.
Mr Hanan contends that EOCO obtained the freezing order ex parte, denying him the opportunity to be heard, in violation of Sections 33 to 35 of the Economic and Organised Crime Act, 2010 (Act 804).
He stated that the Kpalsi property was acquired in 2011 and completed in 2013, several years before his appointment as NAFCO CEO. He added that the house was used to host part of his Islamic marriage ceremony, insisting it has no connection to any alleged criminal activity.
The former NAFCO boss also rejected EOCO’s claims regarding the Gumani building, stating that he holds no ownership or beneficial interest in the property.
Regarding the 0.27-acre Estate Junction plot, Mr Hanan explained that the land belongs to Al-Qarni Enterprise and was transferred to OSGAF Furniture Enterprise in 2022, accusing EOCO of freezing the asset without any legal or factual basis.
He further alleged that EOCO violated his constitutional rights during his arrest on June 25, 2025, claiming he was detained for two weeks and that his homes in Accra and Tamale were searched without a warrant.
Mr Hanan added that he was only informed of the freezing order on November 26, 2025, despite legal provisions requiring prompt notification of affected persons.
The former NAFCO CEO maintains that EOCO has failed to demonstrate that any of the properties are “tainted” or linked to proceeds of crime, as required by law.
The High Court is expected to hear his motion to review the freezing order on December 18.
