Legal counsel for embattled former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Eduzi Tamakloe has said his client is innocent of the charges against him.
According to him, most of the 27 charges happened before Dr. Stephen Opuni was appointed CEO of the state entity.
Related story:Court grants Dr Opuni and Agongo GH¢300,000.00 bail
Dr Opuni who was appointed under the erstwhile NDC administration and businessman, Seidu Agongo, are on trial for causing financial loss to the state
The two have been charged with 27 counts, including causing financial loss to the state and selling/buying of misbranded fertilizer products.
When they went to court on Monday March 26 2018, a Land Division of the High Court granted a self-recognisance bail of GH¢300,000.00 to the accused.
Related story: Opuni, Agongo trial: NDC accused of trying to influence outcome by busing supporters
Mr. Opuni who pleaded not guilty, were also directed by the court to deposit their passports with the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, lawyer Tamakloe was confident Dr. Opuni will be a victor.
He indicated that, most of the charges including aiding and abetting, causing financial loss to the state are dead on arrival.
Related story: Opuni faces 25 years jail term – Gloria Akuffo
The legal practitioner cited how the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of COCOBOD after field tour across the country reported that the fertilizer led to massive increase of cocoa yields to buttress his point.
Lawyer Tamakloe could not fathom why the supposed substandard fertilizers were distributed to farms.
“To build up a reputation is difficult but to destroy a person is very easy. Dr. Opuni is a renowned of repute and God will vindicate him” he added.
