COCOBOD Trial: Charges Against Dr. Opuni and Seidu Agongo Dropped
In a major legal development, the state has officially withdrawn all charges against Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and businessman Seidu Agongo. The two had been facing trial for multiple offenses, including defrauding by false pretenses, willfully causing financial loss to the state, corruption by public officers, and violations of the Public Procurement Act.
Case Background
The legal battle, which dates back to 2018, centered on allegations that Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo were involved in fraudulent Lithovit foliar fertilizer transactions that allegedly resulted in financial losses exceeding GH¢271 million to the state.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the High Court, State Attorney Enam Mensah announced that the Attorney General had instructed the prosecution to discontinue the case. The prosecution subsequently filed a notice of withdrawal under Section 59 of Act 30.
Court’s Ruling
Presiding Judge, Justice Aboagye Tandoh, upon reviewing the prosecution’s application, ruled in favor of the accused, formally acquitting and discharging them of all charges.
“Accordingly, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, Seidu Agongo, and Agricult Ghana Limited are hereby acquitted and discharged of all charges against them,” Justice Tandoh declared.
In his remarks, Justice Tandoh commended the two accused individuals for their patience and consistency throughout the trial.
“I recognize and appreciate your unwavering commitment to attending court proceedings. Your actions reflect your faith in the rule of law and your belief in your innocence,” he stated.
Legal Counsel’s Appeal
Following the ruling, Dr. Opuni’s lead counsel, Samuel Cudjoe, requested the court to order the release of passports belonging to his client and Mr. Agongo, which had been held by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) since the case began.
Legal Journey and Trial Developments
Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo, who is also the Managing Director of Agricult Ghana Limited, had consistently denied all 27 charges brought against them. The prosecution argued that their involvement in the Lithovit Liquid Fertilizer deals resulted in financial losses amounting to GH¢217.3 million.
The case saw the prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, present evidence through seven witnesses between March 29, 2021, and the closure of their case. Subsequently, the accused were directed to open their defense, with Dr. Opuni calling 11 witnesses starting December 3, 2021. Mr. Agongo and his company, Agricult Ghana Limited, presented nine witnesses in their defense before the state decided to withdraw the charges.
One of the key testimonies during the trial came from Dr. Samuel Akoto Bamford, a Principal Research Scientist at the Nuclear and Allied Sciences department of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. He challenged the credibility of the Ghana Standards Authority’s report, which was being used by the prosecution, stating that it lacked scientific basis and was unreliable.
Reactions to the Verdict
Expressing relief and satisfaction with the court’s decision, Dr. Opuni stated that justice had finally prevailed.
“The living God I serve has disgraced and cursed all my enemies, persecutors, and destiny haters,” he remarked, reflecting on his vindication.
The ruling marks the end of a long and controversial legal battle that has been closely watched by the public and stakeholders in the cocoa industry.