The Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Patricia Appiagyei, has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to exercise fairness and be reasonable in the bail conditions it has imposed on the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul Hannan Wahab, and his wife.
Speaking on Starr Today with Tutuwaa Danso on Starr Today, the lawmaker insisted that while the Minority is fully in supports of accountability, the rule of law must be applied in a humane and non-punitive manner against person who are suspected to be involved in criminal activities.
“The minority is not against accountability, we are only asking the law to take its course in a humane manner. We are not against accountability. But if the law must take its course, it must do so fairly and humanely. EOCO must set their bail conditions reasonably” she stated.
Her comments come on the back of the arrest and detention of Mr. Wahab which happened last week alongside his wife in what has been described as a coordinated operation in Accra and Tamale. Both were later granted bail after 48 hours with the bail conditions set at GH¢50 million for Mr. Wahab and GH¢30 million for his wife with two sureties each, all of whom must justify assets.
The Minority Caucus, in a statement issued on June 29, condemned the operation as politically motivated and described the bail conditions as “punitive and excessive.”
They warned EOCO against what they see as the weaponisation of state institutions to target former public officers and called for an immediate review of the bail terms to restore public confidence in the justice system.
