Ever since the case involving Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni and others started three years ago, the state have been represented by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa,  Chief State Attorney (CSA) Evelyn Keelson and other principal State Attorneys but not the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General.

Today, the court presided over Justice Clemence Honyenuga welcomed Minister Godfred Yeboah Dame, as the first the Attorney-General was announcing himself in the court.

Even though his visit to the court cannot be explained, the business of today’s sitting was for the judge to give ruling on submission of no case made by the former Chief of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Opuni and Siedu Agong and his company, Agricult Ghana Limited.

The court ruled that the accused persons have a case to answer on all the charges except three, hence directed them to open their defence.

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 This, notwithstanding, the fact that the justice’s reasons for the order were not readily available to both prosecution and defence.

The court indicated to the parties that because of the Covid-19 and the voluminous nature of ruling, it will be made available to the High Court Registry on Monday.

Justice Honyenuga proposed Friday, May 14 for the next hearing of the case, since it has been dragging for so long.

He told the bar that the case is taking a toll him as Justice of the Supreme Court, adding that the four days is enough period for the accused persons to prepare.

Dr Opuni’s lawyer Damuel Cudjoe thinks otherwise and requested for two weeks instead.

Minister Godfred Dame added that four days after receiving the ruling was enough time for any lawyer to prepare his client to open his defence and as a result suggested the case should be heard on May 14 and 17.

Nutifafa Nutsukpui, counsel for businessman Siedu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited, was the neutraliser between defence lawyer Cudjoe and Minister Godfred Dame.

That is, the court agreed with his suggestion that the case should be called on May 17.

By Adelaide Oforiwaa