The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of political harassment following the re-arrest of former National Food and Buffer Stock Company boss Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, and signed by its National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, the party described the development as an abuse of state power and a violation of constitutional rights.
The NPP said the couple’s re-arrest came shortly after the Attorney-General withdrew charges against them in an ongoing criminal case, questioning the justification for their continued detention.
According to the party, EOCO has denied lawyers access to the suspects for over 24 hours, a situation it says undermines due process and the rule of law.
“Access to legal counsel is not a favour granted by the state; it is a constitutional guarantee,” the statement said, adding that the conduct of EOCO suggests “state-sponsored intimidation.”
The party also argued that the continued detention of Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife is unjustified, noting that they had complied with all bail conditions and court appearances since their initial arrest last year.
It further criticised the Attorney-General’s decision to withdraw the case, suggesting it raises questions about the strength of the prosecution.
The NPP warned that the use of state institutions in a manner that appears politically motivated could erode public confidence in the justice system and weaken democratic principles.
It called on the government, led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to ensure that state agencies act within the law and respect the rights of citizens.
The party is demanding the immediate release of Hanan Abdul-Wahab and his wife, insisting that justice must be carried out transparently and in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The re-arrest by EOCO has sparked renewed debate over the handling of the case, particularly after the earlier withdrawal of charges by the Attorney-General’s Department.
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