South African Police Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya Charged with Rape and Human Trafficking

High Court Adjourns GH¢62m Aludiba Case Over Seized Evidence as Ghanaian Courts Issue Multiple Criminal Sentences

Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former Chief Executive of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), is the central figure in a major GH"62 million trial that has seen a significant delay in the Accra High Court. On September 29, 2026, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga adjourned the case to October 7, 2026, to address a critical interlocutory application regarding evidence. Aludiba, along with his wife and associate Faisal Seidu Wuni, faces serious allegations of theft, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. The legal pause stems from a request by the defense to recover mobile phones seized during the initial investigation, which they argue contain information vital for a fair trial and preparation. While the prosecution argued that the trial should proceed with the examination of witnesses to avoid further delays, the court ruled that the status of the seized properties must be determined first. Justice Achibonga emphasized that the court would not commence the substantive trial until the application regarding the release of the devices is resolved. This procedural decision underscores the tension between the state's drive for swift prosecution in high-profile corruption cases and the constitutional rights of the accused to access materials necessary for their defense. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the scale of the alleged financial misappropriation and Aludiba's former role in Ghana's food security infrastructure. In other legal developments across Ghana, the courts have handed down several stiff penalties for various criminal offenses. In the Kpandai District, 37-year-old Tibini Atta was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the defilement of an 11-year-old girl, a case that shocked the Tigangam community. Meanwhile, in the Western Region, the Tarkwa Circuit Court sentenced 20-year-old small-scale miner Issah Rahman to 24 months of hard labor for stealing GH"4,300 from a drinking bar. Rahman, a repeat offender, was captured on CCTV footage, highlighting the increasing role of surveillance technology in securing convictions within Ghanaian municipalities. Additionally, the Accra Circuit Court sentenced Emmanuel Lewis Ebuka to 25 months in prison after he caused GH"195,000 in damages by setting three vehicles ablaze with a cigarette butt at a Teshie mechanic shop. On the international front, New York prosecutors have announced the reopening of a criminal inquiry into a 2024 gang rape allegation at Cornell University involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity. These collective rulings and investigations reflect a busy period for both domestic and international justice systems, focusing on accountability for financial crimes, sexual violence, and public safety violations.