A Principal Research Scientist at the Atomic Energy Ghana, Dr. Samuel Akoto Bamford, has testified in the High Court of Accra that the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) report used in prosecuting Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo is “unreliable”
The report had concluded that the Lithovit Liquid Fertilizer procured during Dr. Opuni’s tenure as CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board was worthless.
The Witness had stated that the methodology employed by the GSA was “unsuitable” and the report’s conclusions were “contradictory”.
When asked to grade the report on a scale of 1 to 10, by lawyers of Dr Opuni led by Samuel Codjoe during further cross examination, Dr. Bamford gave it a score of 1, emphasizing its lack of credibility.
Dr. Bamford has over 40 years of lecturing experience and is currently on retirement, but still actively lectures and teaches courses.
The case has been adjourned to January 28 for further cross-examination of Dr. Bamford, who is the ninth defense witness for Seidu Agongo.
Justice Aboagye Tandoh, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, is presiding over the case.
On January 13, this year, the Witness told the Court that fertiliser test report being relied upon by the Prosecution in the ongoing trial of former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni and two others “has no scientific grounding.”
He added that, the said test result produced by one Quartey-Papafio, a scientist was “unreliable” and the conclusion was “contradictory.”
While testifying as the ninth Defence Witness for Businessman, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited (2nd and 3rd Accused persons respectively), Dr Bamford said said though the Material Science Report is acceptable and reliable, Quartey-Papafio’s Report being used by the Prosecution “cannot be relied upon.”
Being led by Benson Nutsupkui Esq., lead counsel for the second and third accused, he apprised the Court on the grounds and methods used in both results he analyzed – which reports he tendered in evidence.
Dr. Opuni and Mr Agongo are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the State to the tune of GHc217 million, money laundering, corruption by a public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GH¢300,000.00 self-recognizance bail each.
So far, both Prosecution and Dr Opuni have closed their respective cases after calling seven and 10 Witnesses respectively.
While Businessman Seidu Agongo and his company Agricult Ghana Limited are in the witness box parading their witnesses with Dr Samuel Bamford, their ninth Witness.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
