State drops charges against former Cocobod CEO Opuni and Businessman Seidu Agongo
The court confirmed the decision when State Attorney Enam Loh Mensah announced, “My Lord, pursuant to this, the Republic has filed notice of withdrawal.”
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Former CEO of Cocobod, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, and businessman Seidu Agongo have been acquitted and discharged after the State withdrew all criminal charges against them.
The court confirmed the decision when State Attorney Enam Loh Mensah announced, “My Lord, pursuant to this, the Republic has filed notice of withdrawal.”
Eight-Year Legal Battle Comes to an End
For the past eight years, Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo have faced 27 charges, including allegations of defrauding the state, causing financial loss, and violating public procurement laws. Both individuals consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Their lawyers, Samuel Cudjoe and Benson Nutsukpui, informed the court that they had received formal notice of the case’s withdrawal.
Case Background
The prosecution alleged that Agongo, CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, had fraudulently sold substandard fertilizer to Cocobod with the alleged assistance of Dr. Opuni. The accusations claimed that Dr. Opuni had bypassed proper testing and certification procedures, allowing the fertilizer to be distributed to farmers—allegedly contributing to poor crop yields.
Since the trial commenced in March 2018, the Attorney General maintained that the accused's actions resulted in a GH¢271.3 million financial loss to the state. Both individuals pleaded not guilty to all charges and were granted GH¢300,000 bail each.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
The case took several dramatic turns over the years. The defence team often argued that their clients were victims of political persecution rather than a fair judicial process.
One of the most contentious moments occurred in March 2020, when the defence accused the then-trial judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga, of bias. The accusation stemmed from a public statement he made, praising President Nana Akufo-Addo for his governance and urging Ghanaians to re-elect him for another term.
The defence argued that such remarks indicated partiality, especially since Dr. Opuni had served under the previous Mahama-led administration. They subsequently requested the judge's recusal, but Justice Honyenuga dismissed the request, deeming it "incompetent and misconceived."
Change of Judge and Restart of Trial
After Justice Honyenuga retired, the case was reassigned to Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah in April 2023. Rather than continuing with the existing trial records, the new judge ruled that the case should start afresh ("De Novo") to ensure a fair hearing.
According to him, given the various allegations and counterclaims, it was essential for the court to examine the evidence and witness testimonies firsthand rather than relying solely on previous proceedings.
With the State now officially withdrawing all charges, the prolonged legal battle has finally concluded, marking the end of a case that had drawn significant public attention over the years.