Trial of former COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Stephen Opuni begins in Accra as he pleads not guilty

Former Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) CEO, Stephen Kwabena Opuni and a businessman, Seidu Agongo, have pleaded not guilty to causing GhȻ271.3 million financial loss to the state.

The two pleaded not guilty to a total of 27 charges ranging from willfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment of fraud, defrauding by false pretense, among other charges
 
Opuni and Agongo, the Managing Director of agro firm, Agricult Ghana Limited, were dragged to court by the Attorney- General, for allegedly acting illegally in a fertilizer deal that cost COCOBOD the said amount.

The said fertilizer according to the AG, was meant for Cocoa farmers.

As the public awaited the hearing of the former Chief Executive of Cocobod, Dr. Stephen Opuni in his financial scandal with Agricott Limited there was chaos at the court premises as people were anxious to enter the courtroom. 

Security presence was very heavy because the media and public were being screened before entering the Court room. 

According to our Court correspondent there were key personalities from the previous administration  who were in Court to sympathise with the accused persons. 

Key amongst them were the former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Madam Sherry Aryitey, the former Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah Oppong and the National Organiser of the NDC, Kofi Adams.

GBC/Daily Graphic
---DECRYPTED---