Gyakye Quayson has been allowed permission by the court to run in the Assin North by-election
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election, James Gyakye Quayson, has been given permission to skip the next hearing while the Accra High Court decides whether to accept his attorneys’ request to postpone their client’s trial until after the June 27 by-election. Tsatsu Tsikata, the lead attorney for the ousted…
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election, James Gyakye Quayson, has been given permission to skip the next hearing while the Accra High Court decides whether to accept his attorneys’ request to postpone their client’s trial until after the June 27 by-election.
Tsatsu Tsikata, the lead attorney for the ousted Assin North MP, had stated that the Attorney General had made prejudiced remarks and had displayed no regard for the rules of legal decorum with his utterances inside and outside of court as well as during press interviews.
Attorney Tsatsu Tsikata cited article 55(13) to clarify that the accused has the right to participate in the election that was being run by the Electoral Commission, making it a national assignment, in accordance with the requirements of the constitution and the Supreme Court.
Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, however, opposed, saying that the request to change the adjournment date would be detrimental to the accused’s rights to a fair trial.
James Gyakye Quayson was given permission to miss the hearing on June 23 by presiding judge Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, who also postponed it until that day.
Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah Yeboah responded to the adjournment by denying claims that the government is plotting to stop James Gyakye Quayson from running in the Assin North by-election.
“It’s not about his not being able to run for office. He has the right to object, and the state has the right to listen to any instances that are now before the court, he added.
James Gyakye Quayson, for his part, expressed happiness and thanked influential party members and supporters who flocked to the location to support him.
