Lead Counsel for James Gyakye Quayson, until recently the Member of Parliament for Assin North, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, has registered his displeasure over what he considers extremely prejudicial and insulting remarks made by Attorney-General (A-G) Godfred Yeboah Dame, about his client.
Mr. Tsikata, who made the argument in court yesterday, told the presiding judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, that the A-G insulted his client during his submission before the court. The legal luminary quoted the AG as saying that Mr. Quayson was irresponsible to have considered the decision to contest for the Assin North seat, when a criminal trial was pending against him.
“We referred to extremely prejudicial, unjustified and insulting remarks made by the A-G against the accused person, while seeking an application for day-to-day hearing of the case between today (June 20) and June 23,” he stated.
He said the prejudicial and insulting remarks were made after one of his colleagues, Justin Pwavra Teriwajah had, during the previous sitting, prayed the court for long adjournment to enable the accused to campaign for the upcoming by-election in Assin North.
Arguing on why the case must be heard on daily basis, the A-G had said: “He is introducing political matters, which are extraneous. He is saying the accused is involved in a national assignment. Who gave him a national assignment?
“It is a selfish quest to contest in this election, knowing very well that there is a criminal case pending before him. The Supreme Court has declared your election unconstitutional and you know that he is facing a criminal prosecution and he could be convicted and jailed.”
Although the court last week upheld the prayers of the A-G, Mr Tsikata has filed a motion, seeking a variation of the orders of the court to conduct the case on day-to-day basis.
The Counsel told the court that, there is also another case pending before the Supreme Court in respect of this same case, which the hearing date (June 20, 2023) clashes with the instant suit, hence the High Court must afford lawyers of the accused time to respond.
He also prayed the court to adjourn the hearing of the motion, particularly when it raises serious legal issues.
Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, opposed the adjournment and urged the court to carry on with the business of the day, which was the continuation of cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
The Deputy A-G added that they will respond to the motion and file their affidavit in opposition by the close of yesterday, Tuesday 20th June, for which the hearing of the case must continue.
Her Ladyship adjourned the hearing of the motion to today, June 21, 2023.
Background
James Quayson is being tried for deceit of Public officer, forgery of passport or travel certificates, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.
The accused has pleaded not guilty to all five charges and currently on bail.
The Supreme Court last month ordered that Mr. Quayson’s name be expunged from the records of Parliament as Assin North Constituency’s representative.
Supporters
The court was well attended by big wigs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Some of them were Tony Lithur, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Ahmed Mohammed Baba Jamal, Abraham Amaliba, Alexander Percival Segbefia and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
