James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency, has raised allegations of government interference in his ongoing trial. He claims that the Akufo-Addo administration has meddled with the legal proceedings he is facing.
During the Assin North by-election campaign period, when he was a candidate, Quayson was initially required to attend trial on a weekly basis. However, this trial frequency was escalated to a daily basis.
The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, argued that due to the serious charges against Quayson, a swift trial was necessary to potentially secure a conviction and imprisonment.
In response to this situation, James Gyakye Quayson formally requested the General Legal Council (GLC) to investigate potential disciplinary actions against the Attorney General. His request was driven by allegations of professional misconduct on the part of Dame in relation to Quayson’s ongoing criminal trial in the High Court.
During an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Citi TV, Quayson stated, “The daily trial began during the 2023 campaign. I interpreted it as an attempt to prevent me from campaigning and winning the seat. That was the best they could do. I never believed that the government could be involved in the judiciary, but now I am convinced.”
He expressed his belief that the government’s involvement led to the escalation of his trial frequency, impacting his ability to campaign effectively. Quayson highlighted the disruption caused by commuting daily from his constituency to court, while also managing campaign responsibilities.
Despite the pressure of the daily trial, Quayson maintained that it did not hinder his electoral success. He humorously mentioned that he even joked about having a courtroom chamber assigned to him and still winning the seat without being physically present on the campaign grounds.
Responding to concerns about potential imprisonment, he stated, “Why should I be [afraid]? I believe in the justice system. The core issue in any judicial matter is whether the individual had the intention to commit the crime. Did he plan it? I have not planned anything of the sort.”
In terms of the legal proceedings, the High Court in Accra adjourned an application for a stay of proceedings until July 4. The application is intended to halt the proceedings in the High Court temporarily so that the Court of Appeal can assess whether the High Court’s decision to hold Gyakye Quayson’s trial on a daily basis was justified.
Quayson’s legal woes began when he was disqualified from Parliament after the Supreme Court directed his removal due to allegations of dual citizenship. However, he later won a by-election in the Assin North constituency, allowing him to return to Parliament as the elected representative.
