Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, has questioned that he hopes the adjournment of a criminal case trial involving newly sworn-in Member of Parliament for Assin North, Gyakye Quasyon, does not become a norm.

According to him, although Mr Quayson has obligations as an MP, he is equally duty-bound to the court. Nonetheless, he indicated that he understands that Mr Quayson is on a national assignment, with his swearing in.

With this, Mr Yeboah stated that unlike the “other time that he said he was on national assignment that we disputed, we don’t dispute it”.

“We hope it does not become a norm. You may be an MP that’s alright, but if you have a matter in court, you must also be in court because we have two arms of government – the legislature and judiciary. If you have an assignment to perform in parliament you do it. If you have an assignment or duty you need to perform in court you also do it. You cannot say because you have an assignment in the court all the time, the court should not go on with its matters.”
Alfred Tuah Yeboah

Today, July 4, 2023, a criminal court adjourned the trial of new member of parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, to July 6, 2023, after the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, served notice to the court that he is on a national assignment and will be unavailable for the trial.

Lawyer for the state and the accused agreed for the trial to be adjourned for Mr Quayson to be sworn in.

Addressing the media, the deputy attorney general noted that being a member of parliament is indeed a national assignment that should be undertaken. He explained that the judge also made it known to the court that the Speaker of parliament wrote a letter to the court.

“… We went through the letter and we are of the considered view that a request for an adjournment is in the right direction. So, that’s how come we never opposed the request for an adjournment.”
Alfred Tuah Yeboah

Furthermore, Mr Yeboah stated that when it comes to prosecution of matters, there should be no attempt to stampede attorneys from discharging their duties. He emphasized that it is the sacred duty of the Attorney General in taking certain decisions, and “he need not consider any other input from others but looking at the circumstance of the case”.

Minority resolve to abstain from parliamentary proceedings

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has resolved to abstain from parliamentary proceedings on days when the re-elected Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency, James Gyakye Quayson, is scheduled to appear in court for an ongoing criminal case against him.

Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, announced that the entire Minority caucus will accompany Mr. Quayson to court and refrain from participating in the business of the House on those specific days.

“We wish to serve notice that the entire Minority will accompany our colleague today and any other days that he is to appear in court. We are solidarising with our colleague and we will not participate in the business of the House anytime our colleague is in court and we will be withdrawing from the Chamber after this ceremony if the court processes happen today.”
Cassiel Ato Forson

Furthermore, Mr Forson noted that Mr Quayson’s victory is a bold statement to all politicians that Ghanaians cannot be swayed by money for votes.

“The people of Assin North have sent a clear message to all politicians and the government of the day especially, that they cannot be lured with money, not be intimidated by threats and it is the same message that Ghanaians are sending to us that in the year 2024, they will exercise their franchise based on their conscience and no amount of threats will dissuade them from voting out the administration that we are witnessing.”
Cassiel Ato Forson