The High Court has dismissed an application for submission of no case filed by lawyers of former COCOBOD Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo.

The court has since ordered the two to open their defence in the trial in which they have been accused of engaging in illegalities in a series of fertilizer transactions.

The judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga held that the prosecution had been able to establish a prima facie case in 24 of the 27 charges against the two accused persons.

The submission of no case, which was filed on April 12, 2021, follows the rejection of an oral one by Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga, a Supreme Court judge sitting with additional responsibilities as a High Court judge, who asked the defence team to “come” officially by filing their application before the court.

Dr. Opuni and Seidu Agongo, Managing Director of Agricult Ghana Limited, are on trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GH¢217,370,289.22.

They are being prosecuted over the purchase and supply of Lithovit fertilizer, which the state insisted was done in contravention of several laws.

They are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, 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 each on a GH¢300,000 self-recognizance bail.