Accra, March 26, 2018//-Former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni, has been granted bail by an Accra High court.
The court hearing 27 charges against him including causing financial loss to the state granted him a self-recognizance bail to the tune of 300,000 cedis.
Also, the court directed Dr Opuni to deposit his passport with the CID Headquarters in Accra, while he is to report himself to the CID any time he wishes to travel outside the country.
Second accused, Seidu Agongo, was also granted self-recognizance bail of same amount and same directives given Dr. Opuni.
Counsel for Dr Opuni, Samuel Cudjoe, told the packed court that his client’s entitlement to bail is a settled matter in law and several cases.
He explained that Dr. Opuni, who has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, has been very cooperative with the prosecution since EOCO began investigating him in 2016.
“He is ever willing and ready to appear before the court”.
He said, although Dr. Opuni received notice of the start of Monday’s trial at a very short notice, he still showed up.
He continued that investigators know his home in Accra including his ancestral home Bebianiha in Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region.
In a trial that lasted close to three hours, the legal counsel said his client will be in a race against time to complete the normal bail procedure when the court granted the bail.
After 2pm, Cudjoe prayed the court that if granted bail, his client be allowed to go home although the bail procedure had not been completed.
The lawyer said he would continue the process Tuesday.
The Attorney-General Gloria Akuffo did not oppose both bail applications.
Appeals court Judge Justice C.J Honyenuga who is presiding as additional High Court Judge adjourned the case to the following dates as agreed by all parties.
April 11 2018 at 11am, 16th April 2018 at 10am, 17th April 2018 at 10am, 24th April 2018 at 9am and 30th April 2018 at 9am.
African Eye Report/Myjoyonline