By Yvonne Asare Offei
Lawyers for the former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD Dr. Stephen Opuni have filed another motion asking Justice Clemence Honyenuga to recuse himself for allegedly exhibiting bias tendencies and open hostility towards their client.
They have also accused him(Justice Honyennuga)of giving preferential treatment to the Attorney General. This comes as the third application against Justice Honyenuga presiding over the case.
The earlier two applications to get the judge to step down due to a number of alleged unfavorable and biased actions by him have not been successful.
With the latest motion at the High Court, Dr. Stephen Opuni prayed that based on the averments contained in the above, it is only fair and just that the trial judge recuses himself from further hearing of the suit.
Dr Opuni referenced his affidavit to two occasions where Justice Honyenuga imposed dates on the parties, and would not hear his counsel out even on medical grounds. Dr. Opuni stated that he is convinced that the conduct of Justice Honyenuga breached his right to a fair hearing and also constitute a breach of Rule 3 (5) of the code of conduct for judges and magistrates.
The applicant also accused Justice Honyenuga of making prejudicial comments in the ongoing trial.
Meanwhile, the first Defense Witness for Dr. Opuni, Charles Kwao Tetteh Dodoo, a former Director of Finance at COCOBOD is expected to continue with his Evidence-in-Chief.
Dr. Opuni, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited are standing trial for 27 charges for allegedly causing financial loss to the State, defrauding by false pretenses, conspiracy to commit crime, abetment of crime, corruption by public officer and contravention of the PPA Act.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been granted bail.