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The High Court has dismissed an application by Faiza Seidu-Wuni seeking permission to travel to the United Kingdom for her son’s medical treatment, ruling that she failed to prove the child could not receive the required healthcare in Ghana.
The decision means Seidu-Wuni must remain in Ghana and continue to comply with the travel restrictions imposed under her bail conditions as she and her husband, Abdul Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), stand trial in an ongoing criminal case.
Court cites insufficient evidence
Delivering the ruling, Justice Achibonga held that the application did not provide sufficient grounds to justify varying the existing bail conditions.
According to the court, the defence failed to present convincing evidence showing that the child’s medical condition could not be adequately treated within Ghana’s healthcare system.
As a result, the court dismissed the application, leaving the existing travel restrictions in place.
Prosecution questioned timing of application
The ruling follows an earlier application by Mr Aludiba, who also sought permission to travel abroad on medical grounds.
During previous proceedings, prosecutors questioned the timing of Mrs Seidu-Wuni’s application, noting that it was filed shortly after her husband’s request.
The prosecution argued that the circumstances required careful scrutiny because of the pending criminal proceedings involving both accused persons.
With the latest ruling, the travel ban imposed on Seidu-Wuni remains in effect until the substantive criminal case is determined.
Background to the case
Faiza Seidu-Wuni and her husband are facing criminal charges linked to Mr Aludiba’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer of NAFCO.
Following their arraignment, the High Court granted them bail under several conditions, including a restriction on international travel without prior approval from the court.
Seidu-Wuni later applied for a temporary variation of those conditions to enable her to accompany her son to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
However, after reviewing submissions from both the defence and the prosecution, the court concluded that the application lacked sufficient medical and evidential justification to warrant lifting the travel restrictions.
The substantive criminal trial involving the former NAFCO chief executive and his wife is expected to continue before the High Court.
