James Gyakye Quayson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Assin North, has asked the High Court to revisit its decision that he must show up in court each day for the hearing of his trial.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, as his attorney Tsatsu Tsikata makes the motion, he is anticipated to be present in court. The High Court had previously decided that the trial of Quayson, who is accused of forgery and perjury, must commence on June 20, 2023, and last for one day each day.

The court turned down a request by Quayson’s lawyer to have the trial continue after the Assin North by-election, which is scheduled for June 27, 2023.

After the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to remove Quayson’s name from its records, he was expelled from Parliament after being elected to represent the Assin North constituency in the general election of 2020. He was then taken to court on charges of having two citizenships. Currently, he is facing criminal charges from the state.

John Dramani Mahama Criticizes The High Courts Decision

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), criticized the High Court for choosing to hear the trial case against James Gyakye Quayson every day.

The perjury and forgery trial against Mr. Quayson will commence on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, according to a decision by the High Court. The court rejected Quayson’s attorney’s request to have the trial continued beyond the June 27, 2023 of the Assin North by-election, in which he is a candidate.

According to the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Gyakye Quayson could be found guilty and sentenced to prison as a result of the charges brought against him, hence a speedy trial was required.

However, John Dramani Mahama stated that the court ruling is absurd.

“We need to vote for our brother who has sacrificed for the party, because of the hatred for Gyakye Quayson, they have dragged him to court again and are saying they are going to jail him. Now the court is saying he should come to court everyday, even criminals who commit crimes are not treated this way.
“NAM 1’s case has been in court for six years now. This case is not even heard on a daily basis. And so why Gyakye? Has he committed murder? Has he stolen someone’s money. If they like, they should get him a bed in the court, even on the day of elections, if he’s not present, he will still win.”
John Dramani Mahama

Mahama has recently demonstrated outstanding commitment and support for Gyakye Quayson by even escorting the candidate to the constituency to campaign.

He said he witnessed the “overwhelming resolve to vote for James Gyakye Quayson once again.”

“Voting for the NDC and James Gyakye Quayson is a vote for Justice, to right the wrongs and for development. Above all, voting for Gyakye Quayson demonstrates the Assin North Constituency’s resolve to demand better governance and improved quality of life,” he said in a Facebook post.