Report shows Opuni’s trial and possible jail sentence linked to his ‘vengeful mafia’ of Tobinco

A report has revealed that if Dr Stephen Kwabena had not touched Opuni Tobinco, he would have remained with the Food and Drugs Board and not become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). He would therefore not have appeared in court.

Dr. Tobin, CEO of Tobinco, disclosed that former President Mahama told him that he would pull Dr. Opuni out of the FDA and relocate him elsewhere because of the problems facing Tobinco and the Opuni-led FDA.

In three days Dr. Opuni was transferred to COCOBOD where he was CEO for 4 years. He is currently on trial for his stewardship of COCOBOD.

He is accused of various financial malpractices committed during his term of office.

Dr. Opuni, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited are facing 27 charges of causing financial loss to the state, fraud by false pretenses, conspiracy to commit offence, incitement to commit offence, money laundering, corruption of public officials and contravention of the PPA Act.

Together they are accused of causing the state a financial loss of over GH¢217 million through the sale and purchase of the controversial liquid fertilizer Lithovit, which the prosecution claims has never been tested.

Since March 2018, they have been on trial in a high court in Accra, accused of 27 crimes.