The Attorney General’s Department has registered its opposition to an application by the legal team of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Dr. Stephen Opuni, demanding to be furnished with the relevant documents based on which he’s being prosecuted.
According to a Deputy AG, Godfred Dame, they were not bound by law to provide the documents as requested because the case is one of a summary trial rather than a trial of indictment.
Godfred Dame further stated that the defence was only entitled to relevant evidence and not all the documents they have demanded.
The prosecution further indicated the application is not supported by any human rights law as referred to by the defence lawyers.
Following this resistance, the defence lawyers, represented by Samuel Cudjoe, prayed the High Court to refer the motion which is centered on article 19 of the constitution to the Supreme Court for interpretation.
Godfred Dame’s comments come despite an earlier assurance from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akufo, that her office would grant Dr. Opuni’s request.
In an interview with Citi News in Cape Coast, she said the documents will be made available to Dr. Opuni for the sake of fairness and justice.
“We are going to court. We are prepared to give them what we know. We have nothing to hide. After all, we believe in the right of the individual to defend himself particularly when it is against the principle that you are presumed to be innocent. We are happy to give that which they want, but we will play it as the law provides. That is what is at the heart of the matter now,” she said.
It is thus unclear why the sudden u-turn.
Dr. Stephen Opuni, a former COCOBOD CEO, had filed the motion seeking to be supplied all documents the AG intends to rely on in the ongoing case involving himself, the state and a businessman, Seidu Agongo.
He stated that he would be able to mount a better defence if he is furnished with the relevant documents the prosecution will be relying on.
Dr. Opuni and two others are facing 27 charges of causing financial loss to the state, conspiracy to commit a crime, defrauding by false pretence, abetment of crime amongst others.
The charges are in relation to a supposed fraudulent fertilizer contract worth over GH¢43 million.
Source: citinewsroom.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
I am rather concerned about what the Deputy minister said. It will fuel the perception of witch hunting. This is a criminal prosecution not a civil one so full information should be provided to the defense. You cannot be convicted of a criminal offence which has a high threshold and denial of liberty if convicted without knowing the full facts of your accusation. If the state is not careful, their case will fall flat. The defense know exactly what they are doing. Just research who Samuel Cudjoe works with. How can the Deputy Attorney General claim that this is a summary trial so full information so those documents need not be provided to the defense? Then do not include them as evidence. Is they are not careful, Samuel Cudjoe will mop them on the floor. They should know better. Summary trial or indictment, IT IS A CRIMINAL TRIAL. Please refer again to constitutional law. I do not see a judge who will allow this because that judges reputation will be on the line.
Heads MUST ROLL at Peacefmonline for the horrible job done on this publication It's just annoying to read such news online please editor if you can not do the job just resign
as I always say most of these media guys are simply li.ars and hypocr.tes.. their stock in trade is just to twist issues and mislead the populace.
PLEASE, PEACEFMONLINE, DON'T CONFUSE YOUR READERS. READ BETWEEN THE LINES AND SEE OR KNOW WHAT THE AG SAID, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!
whoever wrote this report does not understand spoken English, ebei! Peacefmonline, if you didn't see or hear it rain, didn't you also see that the floor was yet and it wasn't a burst pipe, when you stepped out of your shelter?
PLEASE DO NOT DECEIVE YOUR READERS. READ AGAIN WHAT THE AG SAID. THEY HAVE NOT CHANGE THEIR STAND AT ALL.