Court dismisses application to unfreeze Opuni’s accounts

An Accra High Court has dismissed application by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Stephen Opuni to have his accounts unfrozen by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).

Dr. Stephen Opuni who was in court today was however not surprised by the court’s ruling on the application, his lawyer, Victor Adawudu disclosed to the media.

According to Mr. Adawudu, they are yet to receive and critique the judge’s reasons behind the ruling before deciding whether or not to appeal the decision.

“Well the court dismissed the application and we are not surprised by the ruling. What is rather surprising is the different rulings on the same case by the same court. We are yet to receive the reasons behind the ruling to decide whether to appeal or not”

After months of having his bank accounts under the control of EOCO, Dr Opuni’s lawyers obtained a High Court order on April 23, 2018 for the accounts released.

But the defence team could not sustain that judgment, as EOCO filed an ex-parte motion on April 24, 2018, and obtained another order from the same court for the accounts to be frozen again.

At the last sitting of the court, the legal representatives of the parties brought to close arguments for and against the application. While the defence team of Dr. Opuni maintained that the action of EOCO is against the law, EOCO argued that their action is legal.

According to Dr. Opuni’s lead counsel, Samuel Cudjoe, EOCO had become a “monster” bent on terrorising and making life uncomfortable for his client.