In a recent court hearing involving Dr. Stephen Opuni, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Seidu Agongo, and Agricult Ghana Limited, Mr. Paul Adjei Gyang, a Senior Staff at the Operational Unit of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), provided crucial testimony regarding the alleged fraudulent importation of agrochemicals sold to COCOBOD.
During his testimony at the Accra High Court, Mr. Gyang revealed that the investigations into the matter were not completed by EOCO. He explained that the Organised Crime Unit, which he previously headed, was instructed to hand over the investigation docket to the Police for further scrutiny.
The case involves 27 charges against Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo, including defrauding by false pretences, causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty and are currently on bail.
Mr. Gyang detailed the sequence of events, stating that the investigation was initiated in January 2017 when samples of Lithovit were submitted to EOCO by Dr. Adu Amponsah, the Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD. The samples were then sent to the Ghana Standards Authority and the Chemistry Department of the University of Ghana for testing to determine if the chemical was indeed a fertilizer.
Upon receiving the test reports, it was revealed that the product in question lacked the necessary ingredients to qualify as a fertilizer. Subsequently, Mr. Agongo was invited for questioning and requested a copy of the report for his legal counsel. However, he was initially denied access to the report.
Further investigations led to the collection of additional samples from the COCOBOD warehouse, with suppliers present to assist in identifying the products for testing. Ultimately, it was confirmed through a second test report from the Ghana Standards Authority that Lithovit indeed qualified as a fertilizer, despite initial concerns about the broken seal on the sample.
Mr. Gyang's testimony shed light on the complexities of the investigation and the efforts undertaken to ascertain the nature of the imported agrochemicals. The court proceedings provided valuable insights into the case, emphasizing the thoroughness required in such high-stakes investigations.
As the trial continues, it is evident that meticulous attention to detail and adherence to proper investigative procedures are paramount in uncovering the truth in complex financial and procurement-related cases. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in all dealings, particularly those involving public funds and agricultural resources.
The testimony given by Mr. Paul Adjei Gyang underscores the intricate nature of financial crime investigations and highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies in uncovering fraudulent activities that impact national resources and public trust.
The proceedings continue to draw attention as stakeholders await further developments in this significant trial.
-source GNA |curated by Mabel Darkoo | Ghana Crimes
