The former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana COCOBOD Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni has petitioned Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah seeking his intervention in his ongoing trial at the High Court.
Dr Opuni and the CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited have denied charges of causing financial loss to the state and have been asked to open their defence.
In court on Friday, June 18, when the case was called for the first accused person to open defence, the court presided over by Justice Clemence Honyenuga said, “I have been shown something your client (Dr Opuni) has petitioned the Chief Justice on this matter.”
According to the court, the motion which was filed on June 17, “came to my notice this morning Friday). I don’t know if the CJ has received it. So I will adjourn the matter to wait for his decision.
After the court copy was shown to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisa, who said they have not seen it prior to court.
Even though the content of the petition was not detailed in court, EIB Network’s Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah gathered that it could be for the CJ to remove the judge.
Earlier, Dr Opuni filed a motion asking the judge to recuse himself but it was refused.
Justice Honyenuga, Justice of the Supreme Court sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge consequently adjourned the case to June 29 to await the decision of the CJ.
Lawyers of the accused according to the court have also filed a case at the Supreme Court seeking its advisory jurisdiction on the matter.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
