By: Beatrice Oppon
The High Court in Accra has directed the prosecution and Lawyers for former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Dr. Stephen Opuni to get the record of proceedings to be adopted by the Court for the continuation of the trial.
Dr. Opuni has been charged together with a Businessman Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited on 27 counts including willfully causing financial loss to the state and contravention of the Public Procurement Act in the purchase of Lithovit liquid fertiliser between 2014 and 2016.
They have been facing trial since March 26, 2018. The then trial judge, Justice (retired) Clemence Honyenuga, could not bring the case to a close after his six month extension ended in March 2023.
Following his retirement, the case was transferred to Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah who rejected a request by the state to adopt the previous proceedings.
The State successfully appealed against the decision at the Court of Appeal. Justice Aboagye Tandoh has taken over the case from Justice Anokye.
Lawyer for Dr Opuni Samuel Codjoe informed the Court that the defence is appealing the ruling by the Court of Appeal not to start the trial afresh at the Supreme Court.
Justice Aboagye Tandoh however indicated that the supposed appeal at the Supreme Court is yet to be filed on the docket.
He stated that there is no order restraining him from continuing with the trial and accordingly adjourned to July 25 for the proceedings to be adopted by the parties and proceed with the case.