IN A DRAMATIC twist of events, the prosecution has withdrawn all charges against Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, former CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and Businessman Seidu Agongo.
The two, who faced 27 counts including defrauding by false pretenses, causing financial loss to the state and corruption, are now cleared of the allegations.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, State Attorney Enam Mensah informed the High Court that the Attorney General had instructed the prosecution to discontinue the case. A notice of withdrawal was subsequently filed under Section 59 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Act 30.
The case, which spanned nearly seven years, centered on claims that the accused caused the state to lose over GH¢271 million through controversial Lithovit foliar fertilizer transactions. Despite the lengthy proceedings, the decision to drop the charges marks the end of a trial marred by allegations of withheld evidence and procedural controversies.
Notably, in February 2024, a subpoenaed witness revealed that a critical test result from the Ghana Standards Authority, confirming Lithovit as a fertilizer, was excluded from court submissions.
This development brings closure to one of Ghana’s most high-profile financial loss cases, leaving questions about the handling of evidence and the motivations behind the original charges.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
