The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has ordered Dr. Stephen Opuni and two others to open their defense in the ongoing trial over alleged misappropriation of Lithovit fertilizer at COCOBOD.
The court presided over by Justice Clemence Honyenuga in his ruling on a submission of no case said, Prosecution succeeded in proving all the charges against the accused persons. The court said it is convinced that a prima facie case has been established against the accused persons.
Meanwhile, the court has acquitted and discharged Seidu Agongo and his company of three of the 27 charges.
Dr. Opuni has been ordered to open his defence on the 17th of this month. Dr. Stephen Opuni, a private businessman; Seidu Agongo, filed separate applications asking the court to acquit and discharge them in their ongoing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.
The accused persons in their respective submission of no case are arguing that the prosecution at the end of its case failed to adduce sufficient evidence to prove any of the 27 charges levelled against them.
Prosecution is contending that contrary to assertions made in the accused persons submissions of no case applications, the evidence of the prosecution witnesses was not in any way discredited under cross-examination, and their evidence remain credible and reliable.
Dr. Opuni, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited are standing trial for 27 charges of causing financial loss to the state, defrauding by false pretenses, conspiracy to commit crime, abetment of crime, money laundering, corruption by public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Authority.
