Beatrice Oppong
MP for Assin North James Gyakye Quayson today made his first appearance before the Accra High Court after several unsuccessful attempts to serve him with court processes. His Counsel, Tsatsu Tsikata told the Court that the MP was made aware of the charge sheet after the criminal summons was posted at his residence per the orders of the court. Mr. Quayson has been granted bail in the sum of 100,000 cedis with one surety.
He is also to deposit his passport with the Registrar of the Court. The Assin North MP has been charged with criminal offences for alleged dual nationality when he contested the 2020 Parliamentary elections and is facing five counts of deceit of public officer, forgery of passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Deputy Attorney General Alfred Yeboah did not oppose the granting of bail to the accused person. He however contended that he should not be granted self-recognizance bail in view of what happened and suggested that the court orders him to deposit his passport with the registrar.
The Deputy Attorney General also proposed that the accused be granted reasonable bail conditions such as providing two public servants as sureties. MrTsikata was opposed to the submission by the state saying that the accused is an MP and that there is no reason not to grant himself recognizance bail.
He said the accused will not evade trial adding that the refusal of the Police and the Attorney General’s office to use the right procedure of seeking the assistance of the Speaker of Parliament to reach the accused person should not deny him of a self recognizance bail. Some high-ranking members of the NDC were in court to support the embattled MP.
They include Samuel OfosuAmpofo, HarunaIddrisu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Cassiel Atoforson and Alfred Oko Vanderpuije. Other members of the NPP were Peter Mac Manu and Evans Nimako.
Related Post: https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/politics/assin-north-mp-challenges-supreme-court-ruling/2022/