NDC gurus take over Opuni trial

Members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) appear to have swallowed hook, line and sinker the call by former President John Dramani Mahama to throng the various courts to support his former appointees facing corruption charges.

Hundreds of NDC supporters and bigwigs yesterday stormed the Accra high court to support Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni and the Managing Director of Agricult Ghana Limited, who have been hauled before the court for causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GH?217,370,289.22.

Court 11 was filled to capacity as at 10:00 am, although the case was scheduled for 12 noon, leaving many lawyers and dignitaries stranded due to the lack of space in the courtroom.

The court officials and security personnel deployed to the facility had to decongest the court under the pretext of conducting security checks.

The NDC stalwarts included General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia; former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; former Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong; former Information Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu and former Deputy Minister of Transport and spokesperson for John Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari.

Others were National Organiser, Kofi Adams; former Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare; former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Sherry Ayitey and Sofo Azorka, Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC.

There were some traditional rulers in the court, with some coming from the Brong-Ahafo Region, where Opuni comes from.

Chaos

There was chaos at the entrance of the court when the party faithful realised that they had been tricked to give their seats to other high-profile members of the party in the courtroom.

The police officers, after allowing some members of the leadership of the NDC into the courtroom, turned their attention to journalists.

This, however, did not go down well with the party supporters who did not see the need for the media to be allowed in at their (supporters’) expense.

Clearly incensed by the decision, they stated, “We are all Ghanaians, we will not allow this to happen, and we will all enter.”

Those who could not get seats in the courtroom but were determined to witness the proceedings stood on their feet for close to two hours.

Journalists who hitherto were all seated were made to give their seats to lawyers and other NDC gurus who kept trooping in.

The judge, who was not impressed with the huge crowd, ordered all those standing to leave.

The court’s registrar later impressed on the judge to forego his order, which would have affected the media as well.



Supporters Bused

The NDC hired buses, numbering about 100, to transport party supporters to the court.

However, they were not allowed to enter the court premises, and ended up forming a long queue on the pavement where they drummed and danced.

Others also took advantage of the situation to showcase their motor riding skills through recklessly riding on the street with no helmets.



Security

There was heavy security at the court premises yesterday, as heavily armed policemen were deployed to maintain law and order.

As early as 9:00 am, police officers were seen at the forecourt of the court, with others strategically positioned on the corridor to ensure law and order.



NCA gang abandoned

The NDC surprisingly ignored the trial of former Board Chairman and some four others, who are also facing trial at an Accra high court for causing $4 million financial loss to the state.