Opuni trial: You can’t conclude trial, refer to CJ for new judge – AG to Honyenuga

The office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice has asked Justice Clemence Honyenuga, the judge hearing the case of former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Stephen Opuni to refer the case to the Chief Justice for a new judge.

According to the AG “it is practically impossible to conclude” the matter in the extremely limited time available” in the circumstance “we respectfully pray that my lord refers this matter to the Chief Justice to be reconstituted,”

Justice Honyenuga, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High court judge, has been hearing the trial since 2018.

But following his retirement, he was granted a six month extension by the Chief Justice to conclude the matter which is expected to expire this month.

In court on Thursday, February 23, when the matter was called, Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah said considering the “extremely limited time” available for him to deal with the matter, he should refer the matter to the CJ for it to be reconstituted.

“Pursuant to article 144(11)of the Constitution my lord was granted a limited mandate to conclude the hearing of this matter,” the deputy AG stated.

“Today is February 23, 2023, the time left for that mandate to expire is extremely limited in the sense that the first accused person has not closed his case for the second and third persons to open theirs and call their witnesses.

“Considering the time left, it is practically impossible to conclude in the circumstance we respectfully pray that my lord refers this matter to the Chief Justice to be reconstituted,” Alfred Tuah Yeboah noted.

He said his “submission is being made in the interest of Justice and fairness. This is our humble submission.”

Defence reactions

Counsel for Dr Opuni, Lawyer Samuel Codjoe said, “we have nothing to add to what the learned Deputy AG had said.”

Nutifafa Nutsukpui, counsel for the second and third accused for his part said “Respectfully my lord, we believe that this is a very commendable recommendation or suggestion from the prosecution and my lord we will also urge you to consider it favorably in the interest of Justice.”

By court

Justice Honyenuga who has been a subject of several applications for recusal including a pending one from Seidu Agongo said he would adjourn the case to March 1 to wait for the Supreme Court reasons on Dr Opuni’s review.

“It is my view that we are here this morning to await the reasons of the Supreme Court on this matter.

“Indeed, I should be the first person…considering the numerous applications filed in this matter in this court and the Supreme Court and also in the court of appeal. I will adjourn the matter to Wednesday, March 1, 2023, so that we hear the full reasons of the Supreme Court and we get the full import of the Supreme Court.

He said “We shall abide by the decision of the Supreme Court.”