Nii Ayikoi Otoo, a former Attorney General, claims that more extensive consultations are required regarding the trial of Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson.
In response to requests for Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame to submit a nolle prosequi to halt the trial, Mr. Otoo made this statement. He said, “There is a need for some negotiation, a broader consultation on the matter for the future of the NPP going to contest elections in the Assin North.”
According to the former Attorney General, a Minister of Justice is a member of cabinet, not an independent prosecutor who is charged with carrying out a certain task but also has obligations to his party and the government.
“You cannot claim that you are independent on your own, and you are taking an administrative decision and so you have decided to enter a nolle prosequi without reference to your party. I don’t think it is politically wise to do so because at the end of the day, if you give advice which is not bought into, the best thing to do is to tender in your resignation.”
Nii Ayikoi Otoo
In the meantime, Dormaahene Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II has petitioned the President and Attorney General to end the case by stopping the trial and filing a nolle prosequi.
The continuing criminal prosecution of James Gyakye Quayson has raised concerns from the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, over remarks made by people in powerful positions.
Dame is especially concerned about requests to overturn the high court judge’s decision to regularly hear the perjury case against the MP-elect. The AG promised that his office would release a thorough statement to address all the issues brought forth. He emphasized that such comments could have an impact on how fairly the matter is decided.
NPP To Best Enter Nolle Prosequi Over Gyakye Quayson’s Case
Nii Ayikoi Otoo added that it would benefit the New Patriotic Party (NPP) if the current Attorney General thought about dropping the lawsuit against James Gyakye Quayson, the Contituency’s incoming member of parliament.
In light of the general public opinion and the response of the residents of Assin North, Nii Ayikoi Otoo underscored the political wisdom of entering a nolle prosequi in the case. However, he pointed out that until the Cabinet approves it, the Attorney-General alone does not have the power to make such a decsion.
Nii Ayikoi Otoo voiced worry on the possible repercussions of continuing the trial. He emphasized the potential for the MP to be found guilty, released, and then face another by-election.
Moreover, he questioned whether Assin North residents would be willing to forgive the NPP party and whether they would feel comfortable casting future ballots for the party. He underlined the need to take these things into account.
“In the matter of negotiations, if we [NPP] want to win elections in Assin North next time and we go on with this trend and then we convict him; and then he gets out again, we are going to go into another by-election. This time not with him, but what will the people of Assin North think of the NPP?
“Will they be ever comfortable voting us into power? Will they decide never to forgive us anymore? This is what we should be looking at. It will be a good thing to enter a nolle prosequi and stop all this to show more maturity. But you cannot as an Attorney-General do it on your own; you are not independent, you are part of a whole.”
Nii Ayikoi Otoo
As stated by Nii Ayikoi Otoo, even if the Attorney General disagrees with the decision, he is still obliged by it because it has already been made. As a result, in his understanding, he believes that the subject still requires some dialogue.
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