Opuni’s trial adjourned after lawyer goes into isolation
The trial of a former Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, who is charged with two others for allegedly causing financial loss to the state, will continue on July 30, this year.
The Accra High Court adjourned the case to enable the Counsel for Seidu Agongo, to provide some medical proof that required the lawyer to be in mandatory self-isolation.
The presiding judge, Justice Clemence Honyenugah, was informed about the lawyer’s inability to be in court for the proceedings to continue when the case was called on Friday.
Jemima Dey, who stepped in for Agongo’s lawyer, Nutifafa Nutsupui, told the court about the recent development, but also added that she was informed the lawyer’s absence has been officially communicated.
She also told the court, the lawyer has been unable to attend court for some time now and has been working from home.
Following what had happened, she said it was the firm’s prayer that, subject to the court’s convenience, the matter was adjourned to some dates in the first week in October.
The Principal State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, in her response said considering the reasons for seeking an adjournment in the letter to the court, “we have no objections subject to the court’s convenience.”
Counsel for Dr Opuni, Samuel Cudjoe, also said he had no objections.
Having heard all the parties, Justice Honyenugah, advised parties to have some medical testing in view of the reasons raised in the letter.
“I will give counsel the benefit of the doubt and request counsel to produce some medical evidence as to the claim contained in the letter,”
The case was subsequently adjourned to July 30, 2020.
Dr Opuni and Mr Seidu Agongo are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, corruption by a public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GH¢300,000.00 self-recognisance bail each.