An application filed by lawyers for the embattled Member of Parliament (MP), James Gyakye Quayson, to stay proceedings of a trial High Court has been shot down.
The application was dismissed for lacking merit and/or not demonstrating exceptional circumstances to warrant it.
The court, presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, in refusing the application, said the fact that the applicant’s lawyers believed that their appeal had a brighter chance of succeeding at the Court of Appeal did not become an automatic stay of its proceedings.
Justice Yanzuh disagreed with the lead counsel for the applicant, Tsatsu Tsikata, that the court erred in law for not considering the rights of the accused in granting the day-to-day trial of the case.
The court further stated that it did not see the irreparable injury the accused would suffer if the case was heard on a day-to-day basis. It added that the court dispensed cases based on statutes and precedents, therefore, it acted within the framework of the law.
On the supposed prejudicial remarks made by President Akufo-Addo and Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, the court said it only deals with matters before it, and that each case was determined by its merit. With the refusal of the application, the case will be heard on a day-to-day basis.
Mr. Quayson’s motion for a stay of proceedings was to suspend sitting pending the determination of his appeal against the lower court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
The Assin North MP is standing trial for perjury and forgery, but pleaded not guilty.
His lead counsel notified the court of his intention to file another application at the Court of Appeal to halt the trial, and prayed the court for an opportunity to exercise that right.
He added that he needed more time to attend to a private matter, hence, would not be to attending proceedings on Thursday.
On that circumstance, the case was adjourned to Friday, July 14, 2023.
