Director of legal affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, has disclosed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is seeking its pound of flesh in the Gyakye Quayson trial, insisting it’s one of equalization and not prosecution.
According to him, the state has the powers to discontinue the trial following the election and swearing-in of Mr Quayson as a member of parliament. He revealed that this is so because if the Attorney General himself has indicated that Mr Quayson “should suffer like Adamu Sakande”, then it is safe to say that it’s just about “paying back but not actually doing the work of a prosecutor”.
Mr Amaliba indicated that this is why he is of the view that it will be a waste of time to go through all the process just because someone wants to equalize.
“In my opinion, we have looked at the fact of the case and we have come to the conclusion and don’t forget that there’s a witness who is already in the witness box. The witness even seems to be confused and not even aware of some of the things. That is going to be a waste of time…
“In all these, the NPP and Attorney General have been saying that this MP must suffer the same fate like Adamu Sakande. So, it’s not about prosecution, it’s just about equalization.”
Abraham Amaliba
Assin North traditional leaders call for discontinuation of trial
Commenting on calls by Assin North traditional leaders urging President Akufo-Addo and the Attorney General to drop Quayson’s prosecution, Mr Amaliba noted that it is a right call especially when the legislator a week prior, was presented to the people of Assin North who still voted him back.
He stated that the move by the people of Assin North is a clear indication of the confidence the people have in him.
“Now, you have a government that has dug its feet in the ground and has taken a position that they will go ahead in prosecuting him…”
Abraham Amaliba
Touching on whether dropping the case against Mr Quayson will set a bad a precedent simply because he has been voted back, Mr Amaliba explained that it has already been done in the case of Aisha Huang. With this, he highlighted that the charges were dropped because the state reckoned it will have no real economic impact on the country.
“So, what are we going to benefit in prosecuting the MP as we have it today? It does not change our economy, it does not make our economy any better. This is a country that is saying that we are trying to ensure that those who are living outside this country and have dual citizenship can continue to contribute to the nation by even removing a constitutional provision that says they can’t occupy offices…”
Abraham Amaliba
On his part, executive director of Parliamentary Network Africa, Sammy Obeng, commenting on the impact of the position by the NDC minority in parliament to solidarize with Gyakye Quayson in court, revealed that the MPs have every right to show up for their colleague. He stated that they must however be mindful on its impact of parliamentary proceedings.
“Well, it is within the rights of members of parliament on the minority side, or any member of parliament at all to want to solidarize with anybody that is in court and the MPs say that the person has a just cause… However, in this case, what members of parliament must learn is that they have bigger responsibilities towards us, their constituents, for which reason the decisions that they take must factor in the responsibilities that they have towards us. This responsibility is that they are our elected representatives…”
Sammy Obeng
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