The decision to withdraw the case against former COCOBOD Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo has sparked a heated exchange between Attorney-General (AG) Dr. Dominic Ayine and his predecessor, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Dr. Ayine defended the decision, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove its case and that there were concerns over judicial impartiality.
He cited inconsistencies in the prosecution’s claims about Lithovit fertilizer, stating that no farmers testified against its efficacy and that official COCOBOD reports contradicted the state’s position.
Additionally, he accused retired Justice Clemence Honyenuga of expunging exculpatory evidence and claimed Justice Anokye Gyimah was transferred after deciding to restart the trial.
However, Mr. Dame dismissed these allegations as false during a presser yesterday, claiming Dr. Ayine of misleading the public.
He insisted that multiple courts—including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court—had ruled that Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo had a case to answer regarding the GH¢271 million financial loss to the state.
He also refuted claims that a perjury application against a prosecution witness, Dr Yaw Adu Ampomah, was ignored, stating that it was ruled on and later appealed.
However, proceedings on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, revealed that the presiding judge adjourned the hearing and determination of the perjury application sine die, postponing it until the conclusion of the case.
Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo, who face 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretenses and money laundering, have pleaded not guilty and remain on self-recognizance bail.
The post Dame challenges Withdrawal of Opuni’s case appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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