A former Deputy Trades and Industry Minister in the erstwhile Mahama-led NDC government strongly believes certain people within the opposition party sold out the former Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Steven Opuni, just to make ends meet.
Murtala Ibrahim is also accusing the current administration of finding the "easiest target" for possible prosecution.
“I have monitored with profound dismay the kind of comments certain NDC people have made about Dr Opuni and for which reason they came to a conclusion that we should allow Dr Opuni to dry . . . it is not about Dr Opuni, it is about the NDC. What this government is doing is not about a person; you may think that today, it is against somebody and therefore allow the person to dry; what the NPP does is to find the easiest target to pick…”
Murtala Mohammed, a former NDC MP for Nanton constituency in the Northern Region, who was contributing to a panel discussion on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji programme, also claimed the NPP's intended trial of Dr Opuni, is based on hearsay and lies sold to them by certain hypocrites within the NDC.
“You can’t listen to everybody and do whatever they say. If today you think it is Dr Opuni and so you will leave him, you are pouring poison in your own chalice. If you want to prosecute anybody, prosecute on principles, facts and not because you hate the person.
"I know that these people (NPP) have the courage to do what they are doing because there are still hypocrites within the NDC who have problems with certain individuals, and when we were in government they were giving baseless allegation and stories to them and there are still some of them whose stomach cannot blow air; they think that NDC is in opposition, they need something to chop they must go to the NPP with these absolute lies and they are hinging on those lies to prosecute people. You go to court to prosecute people with evidence supported by law. You don’t prosecute people with emotions, preposterous stories that are giving to you by people who cannot stand the test of incorruptibility," he added.
Background
Dr. Opuni has been accused of “abetting Mr. Agongo and Agricult Ghana Ltd. to defraud the COCOBOD the sum of GH¢43,120,000 between January 2014 and November 2014.
He has also been accused of abetting the businessman to defraud the state the sum of GH¢75,289,314.72 million between November 2014 and November 2015.
According to the suit, “Mr Seidu Agongo, between October 2015 and March 2016 in Accra in the Greater Accra Region with intent to defraud Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) obtained the consent of COCOBOD to part with the sum of GH¢98,935,974.50 by representing to COCOBOD that you will supply Lithovit Foliar Fertilizer from Germany for application by farmers on cocoa for the 2015/2016 cocoa season, a representation which you knew to be false at the time of making it.”
State prosecutors have also accused Dr Opuni of receiving GH¢25,000 as ‘kickback’ to influence the performance of his duties.
The two will appear before an Accra high court on Friday, February 23, 2018.
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
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Many people would have complained him at the Attorney General Department for spreading falsehood should it be in a democratic Western Country.
Why will u put party first instead of nation u see why ppl say NDC party is a nation wreckers
Is this the man was the best university student in his graduating class in LEGO? Oh Legon, this guy dies not even speak like an SSS qualified person and he was your best student? Disgrace. How can a whole government apply its investigation machinery to investigate OPUNI because the hate him? Pittiful. Legon oh Legon, is now being dragged in the mad. This guy does not even deserve an SSS certificate. HIS English and reasoning knowledge are so poor. ALAS LEGON
What a loose talk! How can you say Opuni is an easy target? No one would have issue with him if he have not engaged in any corrupted activities. Well I feel and see pure fear in your voice as your sort of defence is sort of borne out of your share of the booty. Opuni may be easy target, be the hard target and lets see if your deeds catches up with you . . . . National Democratic akronfo)
I think this Murtala is scared of his possible prosecution. He is being haunted by his deeds whilst he was in govt. No one who has messed with our money shd be spared
Murtala are you that stttt,ttttuuupid? if the man is innocent he should prove it in court. uselessssss ignoraaaamus like u.
It amazes me whenever I hear some or all the political party sounding like how Murtala is doing now, Please this is about the state purse must we allowed some individuals to ruin down. Please Murtalar come again ,I thought your arrogance will teach you to be a wise person but now I know that it rather makes you myopic to the real truth. I am not surprise that you compromise with Opuni and iam sorry for you.Do not be a Nation wrecker.
well. lets see how it goes.
Mutala's sympathy is borne out of his own share of the booty. He and the NDC benefitted from the massive ***barred word*** and sharing that Opuni did so he is describing his own party members who didn't benefit with harsh words. There is more to come so Mutala should wait. They will cough out every Cedi they've stolen from the coffers of Ghana.
Massa; your argument is rather flawed because Greedy people are always greedy you cannot change their spots ; if you defend OPuni on the GHC 25000 the government lawyers ; Lawyer DAMI will whip you pretty bad !!!!; did you see the complete housse Opuni built to house his dead mother when people in the and in the villages sleep in mud houses ; where do think this man got the cash from ? NO RICH MAN WILL REJECT ANY AMOUNT OF CASH : MASSA WISE UP !!!!!!