Lawyers of former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni, have said it is only fair that the Attorney General furnishes them with documents the state is relying on in prosecuting Dr Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo.

According to the spokesperson of the legal team, Edudzi Tamakloe, the Attorney General cannot blindfold the accused persons during the trial, hence the need to produce the documents.

On Wednesday, April 11, Justice Clement Honyenuga, the High Court judge hearing the case put the case on hold.

This follows a disagreement between lawyers of Dr Opuni and Deputy Attorney General Godfred Dame regarding a request made by the ex-CEO’s lawyers that they be furnished with documents the state intends relying on in prosecuting their client.

The trial judge, after hearing the arguments from both sides, decided to adjourn the case pending the determination of a similar motion filed in the case involving ex-NCA officials and the state.

In that case, the former Board Chair of the NCA, Baffoe Bonnie, and ex-Director General William Tevie, are also imploring the state to make available documents it intends to use in the prosecution.

Speaking on this matter on the Ghana Yensom show on Accra 100.5FM hosted by Chief Jerry Forson on Thursday, April 12, Mr Tamakloe said: “It is only fair that the AG furnishes the accused person the document they are relying on in court and that was the request we have made.

“You cannot blindfold the accused person and be throwing punches at them, it doesn’t work out that way and so we are waiting for the Supreme Court ruling on the matter.”



Justice Honyenuga adjourned the case to 30 April, by which time the Apex Court may have ruled on their case.