Opuni fails again to remove judge hearing his trial

The Accra High Court has dismissed an application by former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, which was seeking the recusal of the judge hearing his trial.

The presiding judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga, dismissed the application on the basis that it was brought in bad faith.

This is the second time Dr Opuni has failed to have Justice Honyenuga, a Justice of the Supreme Court, sitting as a High Court judge, recused himself from the trial.

The first time, he accused the judge of allegedly making comments which he claims showed that he was sympathetic towards President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Application

Moving the motion Wednesday [June 9, 2021], counsel for Opuni, Mr Samuel Cudjoe, argued that Justice Honyenuga had stated in open court that he was in a hurry to finish the case in order to concentrate on his work at the Supreme Court.

It is his contention that the alleged comments by the judge meant his client would not be afforded adequate time and facilities to defend himself as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

Counsel also accused Justice Honyenuga of pre-determining the case in his ruling on the submission of no case.

In response, the prosecutor, Mrs Evelyn Keelson, a Chief State Attorney, urged the court to dismiss the application.

She submitted that the court had given adequate time to Dr Opuni to defend himself and therefore there was no basis for the application.

She further argued that the application was a smokescreen meant to delay the trial.

Not guilty

Dr Opuni and businessman, Seidu Agongo are standing trial over accusations of causing financial loss of more than GH¢271.3 million to the state in a series of fertiliser deals.

They have denied any wrongdoing and have pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against them.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh

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