Former Deputy Information Minister Pius Enam Hadzide has chided the government over the re-arrest of former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) CEO Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, describing his detention as a gross violation of his rights and a dangerous sign of democratic regression.

Speaking on the July 7, 2026, edition of the Good Morning Ghana show on Metro TV, Hadzide, who also served as Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, said he was deeply scandalised by the manner in which the state had handled the situation.

He pointed out that Alhaji Hanan had a valid court order permitting him to travel for medical treatment.

"This is somebody who was travelling for health-related reasons. He was not well. Went through the processes. Got an order of the court to travel. The court gave him his passport. The court gave him a few days to be back within the jurisdiction," he said.

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Alhaji Hanan was arrested at the Accra International Airport on July 4, 2026, as he prepared to travel abroad for medical attention.

His re-arrest came shortly after the Attorney-General's office alleged he had attempted to use false means to access and empty his frozen bank accounts, a claim his legal team has denied.

Hadzide said he was disturbed by reports that the former CEO was held in cells without food, with his wife and lawyers denied access to him.

"The wife prepares breakfast, brings it to her ill husband, but they do not even accept the breakfast. His lawyer cannot be allowed to see him. The lawyers had to go and file a habeas corpus writ to virtually force the state to produce the body," he said.

The former deputy minister did not mince words in his condemnation, questioning how far Ghana had fallen from its democratic ideals.

"How callous, how wicked, how inhumane, how sadistic can one be that somebody on the way to the hospital can now be arrested and kept in cells," he said.

Hadzide also took aim at the NDC government, suggesting that bail conditions in the country had become a political tool.

"I fear that very soon they will ask some of us to probably bring the body of Christ before bail is granted. That is how far we have gotten. That is the extent of the degeneration," he said.

Alhaji Hanan is currently standing trial for alleged financial crimes, including stealing, money laundering, and causing over GH¢300 million in financial loss to the state.

Prosecutors allege that between 2017 and 2024, he and his wife funnelled over GH¢78 million from NAFCO accounts into private companies linked to them.

The Attorney-General's office is also seeking to confiscate several assets allegedly acquired with the funds, including a 17-bedroom boutique hotel in Tamale and multiple properties in Accra.

He and his legal team have consistently denied all wrongdoing, describing the prosecution as politically motivated.

A habeas corpus hearing has been scheduled before the Accra High Court on July 10, 2026.

Watch the video below:

What kind of wickedness is this - Paul Hadzide reflects on re-arrest of Fmr Bufferstock CEO #GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/G20kqD9Btk

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) July 7, 2026