By GhanaNewsPage 
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, has declared that his legal victory is a testament to divine intervention.
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Following the state’s withdrawal of all criminal charges against him, Dr. Opuni expressed gratitude to God, stating that his adversaries had been “disgraced and cursed.”
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Dr. Opuni’s Reaction to the Verdict
Speaking after the ruling, Dr. Opuni credited his triumph to God, emphasizing that ultimate power belongs to the Almighty and not to humans.
“All I want to say is that all power and authority belong to the Almighty God and not human beings. The living God I serve has disgraced and cursed all my enemies, persecutors, and destiny haters,” he declared.
His remarks come after the Attorney General’s Office formally withdrew the case on Tuesday, January 30, 2025, with State Attorney Enam Loh Mensah informing the court of the Republic’s decision.
“My Lord, pursuant to this, the Republic has filed a notice of withdrawal,” she stated.
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The Eight-Year Legal Battle
Dr. Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo, CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, had been standing trial since March 2018. They faced 27 charges, including:
- Defrauding the state by false pretenses
- Willfully causing financial loss
- Breaching public procurement laws
The case, which lasted for eight years, was one of Ghana’s most high-profile corruption trials, drawing widespread public attention. Despite the charges, both Dr. Opuni and Agongo consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Background of the Case
The prosecution alleged that Seidu Agongo fraudulently sold substandard fertilizers to COCOBOD with the alleged assistance of Dr. Opuni. It was claimed that Dr. Opuni had bypassed proper testing and certification processes, allowing the fertilizers to be distributed to cocoa farmers—leading to poor crop yields and financial losses amounting to GH¢271.3 million.
The two accused individuals were each granted bail set at GH¢300,000 and were subjected to intense legal scrutiny.
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Dramatic Twists and Political Undertones
Throughout the trial, there were several dramatic developments, with the defense team frequently arguing that the case was politically motivated.
In March 2020, a major controversy arose when the defense team accused the trial judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga, of bias. This was due to a public speech in which the judge praised then-President Nana Akufo-Addo for his governance and urged Ghanaians to re-elect him for another term.
“We wish to congratulate you on the excellent manner in which you are governing this dear country of ours. It is our hope that with your vision and the gains made in your first term, Ghanaians will consider giving you another four years,” Justice Honyenuga, also known as Torgbui Nyagasi, stated in his capacity as the Paramount Chief of the Nyagbo Traditional Area.
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Dr. Opuni’s lawyers contended that such public endorsement compromised the judge’s neutrality, leading to calls for his recusal from the case. However, Justice Honyenuga refused, ruling that the request was “incompetent and misconceived.”
Justice Honyenuga Retires, New Judge Calls for Retrial
As the trial dragged on, another turning point came when Justice Honyenuga retired, leading to the appointment of Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah in April 2023. Rather than continuing from where the previous judge had left off, Justice Gyimah ruled that the case would be retried from scratch (De Novo).
“It would be unfair for the court to ignore the allegations and adopt the previous proceedings as they are. In order for the court to have firsthand information and assess the demeanor of witnesses, the trial must restart,” he stated.
This decision added further delays to an already protracted case.
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Massive Financial Costs Incurred
The case reportedly incurred substantial legal and administrative costs for both the state and the accused. Seidu Agongo and his legal team argued that the trial had taken a significant financial and emotional toll, while Dr. Opuni maintained that the accusations were baseless and politically motivated.
State Drops Charges: What’s Next?
With the state’s official withdrawal of charges, Dr. Opuni is now a free man after nearly a decade of legal battles. However, the case has sparked intense public debate about Ghana’s judicial system, political influence in high-profile trials, and the accountability of public officials.
While supporters of Dr. Opuni celebrate his vindication, others question whether the decision to drop the case was based on legal merit or political expediency.
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Final Thoughts
The Dr. Opuni trial will remain one of Ghana’s most controversial and debated legal battles. With its political undercurrents, judicial shakeups, and financial implications, the case has exposed deep-seated tensions in governance and the justice system.
As Ghanaians reflect on the outcome, one key question remains: Was justice truly served?