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The lawyer Seidu Agongo, a businessman on trial with Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, explained that in 2017, retired Ghana Cocoa Board officials (COCOBOD) had been referred to the company to hold key positions.
Although Mr. Benson Nutsupkui did not categorically state that the pensioners' return was bad, he sought to argue that they had been placed at the right place at the right time in the proceedings against him. client and Dr. Opuni.
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According to the lawyer, most retirees were also appointed members of the COCOBOD Transition Team during the transition period following the 2016 elections.
Mr. Nutsupkui presented his findings to the Accra High Court yesterday during the cross-examination of the second Prosecution witness, Dr. Alfred Arthur, a scientist from the Ghana Cocoa Research Institute (CRIG). .
Dr. Opuni, former CEO of COCOBOD, and Agongo, CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, are currently on trial for allegedly committing acts that resulted in the loss of 271.3 million GH ¢ in a series of attacks. fertilizer negotiations.
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Against-examination
The lawyer asked the witness if he knew that Drs. Adu Ampomah, William Mensah and Franklin Manu Amoah, all of whom were retired, were recalled to COCOBOD as Deputy Director General in charge of the Agronomy and quality control, deputy general manager in charge of finance. and Administration, and the Executive Director of CRIG, respectively.
He also asked if he knew that all the officers were members of the transitional team.
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The witness replied that all the retired officers mentioned had been recalled to COCOBOD, but he was not aware of their membership in the transitional team.
Suspension
In a previous cross-examination conducted by Dr. Opuni's lawyer, Dr. Samuel Cudjoe, it was revealed that the CRIG had suspended Dr. Arthur in 2017 for presenting a scientific report recommending that Dr. use of Cocoa Nti fertilizer in 2013, although samples of the said fertilizer were presented. to test for CRIG by COCOBOD in 2016.
In cross-examination today, Mr. Nutsupkui asked the witness whether it would not be appropriate for him to ask Dr. Arthur to stay at CRIG's soil science division, even though he had been suspended.
Here is what happened between the two
Mr. Nutsupkui: Your goodwill – CRIG asked Dr. Alfred Arthur to stay at the Soil Science Division after your suspension
Dr. Arthur: Yes, the letter was signed by Reverend Father E.O.A. Odoi, Deputy Executive Director of CRIG
Mr. Nutsupkui: Has not the letter been signed on behalf of the Executive Director of CRIG, who at the time was Dr. Franklin Manu Amoah?
Dr. Arthur: Yes
The hearing will continue on December 3, 2018 at the court, presided over by Judge Clemence Honyenuga, a judge at the Court of Appeals, who would badume additional responsibilities as a judge in the High Court.
Case against Opuni & Agongo
In March 2018, the Attorney General (AG) charged Dr Opuni and Agongo, CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, with 27 counts of indictment, including deliberately causing the State a financial loss, an offense under the Law on Public Procurement, using false statements, money laundering and bribing a public official.
The AG argues that Dr. Opuni, during his tenure as CEO of COCOBOD (November 2013 to January 2017), violated the procedures set out in the public procurement laws and other laws that led the state. to lose 271.3 million GH ¢ distributing substandard fertilizer to cocoa farmers
Agongo also allegedly used fraudulent means to sell substandard fertilizers to COCOBOD for distribution to cocoa farmers.
The two accused denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the 27 counts.
They are currently on bail up to 300 000 GH ¢ each.
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