The trial of the former COCOBOD CEO Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, and businessman Seidu Agongo, is now before a new judge.
The duo who have been accused of causing financial loss of more than GH₵271 million to the state, will have to answer to their charges in Justice Aboagye Tandoh’s court.
Justice Tandoh becomes the third judge assigned to the case.
He takes over from Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah who presided over the case shortly after Justice Clemence Honyenuga retired at the age of 70.
It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal on July 3, overturned a decision by the High Court to start the trial afresh.
A three-member panel ruled that the High Court erred in stating that it would no longer rely on retired Justice Honyenuga’s proceedings.
“We are persuaded the lower court misdirected itself and came to a wrong conclusion on the case. The decision of the High Court is referred to this court and Appeal is allowed in its entirety.
“The application for the judge to adopt previous proceedings is granted. The proceedings of the previous court presided over by Justice Honyenuga are to be adopted by the high court differently constituted. The registrar is ordered accordingly,” the panel directed.
The former COCOBOD boss, Dr. Opuni, and the CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, Seidu Agongo, are being tried over allegations of causing financial loss of more than GH₵271 million to the state.
The GH₵271 million alleged financial loss to the state is in respect of their engagement in illegalities in a series of fertilizer transactions, making the Attorney-General drag them to court in March 2018.
Agongo is alleged to have used fraudulent means to sell substandard fertilizer to COCOBOD for onward distribution to cocoa farmers.
Dr. Opuni is also accused of facilitating the act by allowing Agongo’s products not to be tested and certified as required by law.
They have been charged with 27 counts, including allegedly engaging in illegalities leading to the distribution of sub-standard fertilizers to cocoa farmers.
The two have pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them, and are currently on a GH¢300,000 self-recognizance bail each.