The new judge assigned by the Chief Justice for the COCOBOD case involving Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and two others has decided to start the entire trial again rather than to admit proceedings from the previous court that handled the case since 2018.
Justice Kwesi Anokye Gyimah yesterday refused an application by the Attorney General’s department, praying the court to adopt the proceedings from retired Justice Clemence Honyenuga‘s court in the interest of justice.
Lawyers for the first accused person, Opuni, are on record to have opposed the application of the Attorney General, demanding for a new trial under the new judge even though the state had closed its case and the first accused person has already called seven defence witnesses.
In his ruling, Justice Gyimah said that the previous trial was beset with several allegations and applications against the proceedings and he would not like to inherit them as the new trial judge.
“Parties to the case are hereby ordered to file all witness statements by Friday 21 April 2023,” Justice Gyimah directed.
“This court will reconstitute for case management conference (CMC) on Tuesday 25 April 2023,” he added.
Dr Opuni and Seidu Agongo are standing trial on 27 counts of defrauding by false pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and corruption by public officers in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The accused persons have denied the charges and they are on GH¢300,000 self-recognizance bail each.
