Opuni pleads not guilty to charges

Beleaguered former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board, (COCOBOD) Dr Steven Opuni has pleaded not guilty to all the 27 charges leveled against him and one other by the State.
Dr. Opuni and Siedu Agongo the managing director of Agricult will be tried by nine State Attorneys including the Attorney General, Ms Gloria Akuffo.
The two are before Justice CJ Honyenuga, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, for wilfully causing financial loss to the state
Dr. Opuni is being represented by Lawyer Samuel Cudjoe and Johnson Normesinu, while Agongo, MD for Agricult appeared with a five-member legal team.
They are Benson Nutsukpi, the president of the Ghana Bar Association, Nutifafa Nutsukpi, Joel Annor Afari, Emmanuel Kumadey and Jemima Dei.
The State through the Attorney Generals (AG) Department has also fielded its strongest legal brains to ensure the prosecution of Dr. Opuni and Seidu Agongo.
The rest are Godfred Yeboah-Dame, Deputy AG, Joseph Dindion Kpemba Deputy AG, Evelyn Keelson, Chief State Attorney, Frances Mollen Ansah, Principal State Attorney, Stella Ohene Appiah, Snr. State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, Snr. State Attorney, Richard Gyembiby, Senior State Attorney and Pinaman Ansah, Snr State Attoney.
NDC officials were in the court on Monday to solidarise with their fellow party member who was head of the Ghana COCOBOD.
Officials seen at the court room included a former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Sherry Ayittey, a former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture development and aide to former President John Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari.
Meanwhile, the opposition NDC has described the trial as political witch-hunting.
Speaking on the charges, Minority member of Parliament for Tamale Central Inusah Fuseini said the suit shows an attempt by government to impugn criminal motive to his service at COCOBOD.