Report shows the connection between Opuni trial and Tobinco saga

If Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni had not touched Tobinco, he would have stayed on at the Food and Drugs Board and would not have become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and consequently would not have been on trial, a report has revealed.

Dr Tobin, CEO of Tobinco, disclosed that former President Mahama told him that he was going to move Dr. Opuni away from the FDA and take him elsewhere due to the issues Tobinco and the Opuni-led FDA have.

In three days, Dr. Opuni was moved to COCOBOD, where he was CEO for four years. He is currently on trial over his stewardship at COCOBOD.

He is accused of several financial malpractices he is alleged to have perpetuated during his tenure of office.

Dr. Opuni, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited are standing trial for 27 charges of causing financial loss to the state, defrauding by false pretences, conspiracy to commit crime, abetment of crime, money laundering, corruption by public officer and contravention of the PPA Act.

Together, they are accused of causing a financial loss of over GH¢217 million to the state through the sale and purchase of the controversial Lithovit Liquid Fertilizer, which the prosecution says was never tested.

They have been on trial before a High Court in Accra since March 2018, charged with 27 offences.