Accra: The Attorney-General (AG) has withdrawn all charges against Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, a former Chief Executive of COCOBOD, and Seidu Agongo, a businessman. Ms. Enam Loh Mensah, State Attorney, informed the Court, presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh, that the AG had instructed the withdrawal of charges against the accused individuals. The State has filed a notice of withdrawal following these instructions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo were facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretenses, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer in violation of the Public Procurement Act. Both had pleaded not guilty and were on a GHS300,000.00 self-recognizance bail each. The State Attorney referenced Section 59 of Act 30 of the Criminal Procedure and other Offenses Act to support the notice of withdrawal.
Justice Aboagye Tandoh explained that Section 59 allows withdrawal from prosecution and preliminary investigations. He highlighted that Section 59 (1) permits a prosecutor, with consent, to withdraw from prosecuting a person generally or concerning specific charges at any time before judgment or committal. Section 59 (2) further clarifies the outcomes of such withdrawal, leading to the acquittal and discharge of the accused parties.
Justice Tandoh acknowledged the commitment of Dr. Opuni and Alhaji Seidu in attending court, emphasizing their belief in the rule of law and their innocence. He praised both the prosecution and defense teams for their efforts throughout the trial, which saw involvement from three different judges over nearly eight years.
The Court ordered the release of the accused individuals' passports and instructed the Registrar to inform the Ghana Police Service. The trial saw Justice Clemenace Honyenuga begin the case, which was later overseen by Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah and eventually Justice Aboagye Tandoh.
By March 30, 2021, the prosecution had presented seven witnesses and numerous documents. Dr. Opuni, in his defense, called 11 witnesses and expressed his intention not to testify personally, relying on witness evidence. Alhaji Agongo also presented witnesses, concluding with Dr. Samuel Akoto-Bamford, before the charges were withdrawn.
Dr. Opuni, speaking to Ghana News Agency, expressed gratitude to God, stating, "All power and authority belong to the almighty God and not human beings, and then I will want to add that, the living God I serve has disgraced and has cursed my enemies, my persecutors, and all my destiny haters."
