Trial of former COCOBOD CEO, Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo has been adjourned to October 6, 2020, after counsel for the businessman presented medical evidence to the court advising him to self-isolate over COVID-19 fears. 

Supreme Court Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga, sitting as an additional High Court Judge, demanded evidence after Ms Jemima Dey, who held brief for Mr Nutifafa Nutsukpui in court on 17 July 2020, told the court that Mr Nutsukpui, who was due to continue his cross-examination of Dr Yaw Adu-Ampomah, the third prosecution witness, was unable to attend the court since he had been advised to self-isolate over possible exposure to COVID-19.

When the case was called on Thursday, 30 July 2020, the judge referred the prosecution team, represented by Principal State Attorney Stella Ohene Appiah, to a letter that had been sent to the court by Kuenyehia and Nutsukpui Law Chambers detailing why Nutifafa Nutsukpui cannot make an appearance in court.

The letter had a medical report attached to it.

The case had to be adjourned to a later date but due to the legal vacation, it had to be pushed to October 6, which is the date that Mr Agongo’s lawyers indicated they would be available. 

But the judge instructively noted that when sitting resumes on October 6, counsel would have to end his cross-examination, since, in his view, cross-examination cannot be conducted ad infinitum.