By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
An Accra High Court has adjourned to Friday, June 23, the criminal case involving the National Democratic Congress’ Parliamentary Candidate for the Assin North by-election, James Gyakye Quayson.
The deposed MP was on Wednesday, June 21, granted permission, however, to be absent from the next hearing.
This follows a ruling on an application filed by his lawyers seeking to halt his trial until after the by-election on Tuesday, June 27.
Lead counsel for the deposed MP, Tsatsu Tsikata, had argued that the Attorney General had made prejudicial comments and had shown no respect to legal etiquette with his statements within the court, outside, and during press interviews.
Citing Article 55 (13), lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata explained that per provisions of the constitution and the Supreme Court, the accused person has the right to take part in the election which was being conducted by the Electoral Commission, thereby making it a national assignment.
The Attorney General, Mr. General Godfred Yeboah Dame, objected, noting that the application to vary the adjournment date will mitigate the rights of the accused person in respect of a fair and speedy trial.
But the court, at the end of the hearing on Tuesday, June 21, 2023, adjourned the next hearing to Friday, June 23, 2023, and also granted NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Assin North by-election, permission to absent himself from court on Friday, June 23, 2023.
