The former COCOBOD CEO Dr. Stephen Opuni’s attorney informed the Accra High Court that his client would not be testifying in person and that they would close their defense.
As previously stated to the Court, Mr. Samuel Cudjoe stated that Dr. Opuni would utilize his right to decline to testify in person if he was pleased with the witnesses’ testimony.
Dr. Opuni and Mr. Seidu Agongo, the CEO and businessman of AgricultGhana Limited, are accused of 27 offenses, including money laundering, defrauding the State under pretenses, and corrupting public officials in violation of the Public Procurement Act.
After entering not guilty pleas to the accusations, they are each being held on GH¢300,000 self-recognition bond.
Mr. Cudjoe stated that his client would not be testifying personally because he was happy with the evidence that the witnesses in his defense had provided to the court.
At the next postponed date, Mr. Agongo will present his defense in front of several subpoena witnesses, including Madam Fiona Gyamfi of the Ghana Standards Authority, Mr. Paul Adjei Gyan of the EOCO Head Office, and Dr. Francis Baah of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG)-Bunso.
The others are Mr. Jerome Dogbatse, CRIG-Tafo, Reverend Father Odei, and Madam Bernice Debra Ashong of COCOBOD. The matter will now be heard on February 15, 2024.
