Yesterday, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, presiding over the court, stated in a ruling that Quayson’s legal team failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances that would justify the suspension of proceedings.
“I am unable to agree with the submission that the appeal has a brighter chance of success because of errors of law.
“The fact that the applicant believes his appeal will succeed does not by itself warrant a special circumstance for a stay to be granted,” stated the presiding judge.
The court reiterated that its previous decision to continue hearing the case on a daily basis remained in effect.
However, Tsatsu Tsikata, the lead counsel for Quayson, informed the court about his intention to submit an additional application to the Court of Appeal, seeking a suspension of the trial.
He also expressed the need for additional time to address a personal matter, which would prevent him from attending the proceedings. Tsikata further requested that the court select a later date for the trial instead of the scheduled date of July 12, 2023.
According to Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, there were no legal obstacles preventing the court from proceeding with the case. As a result, the presiding judge adjourned the proceedings to Friday, July 14, 2023.
Background
Mr. Quayson requested the court to suspend the ongoing criminal trial, in which he is facing charges of perjury and forgery, until the Court of Appeal reaches a decision on his appeal challenging the court’s decision to hold the trial on a daily basis.
Regarding the application for a stay of proceedings, the Member of Parliament argued that it is essential for the trial to be put on hold until the appeal is resolved, in order to uphold the principles of justice.
According to his argument, Quayson claimed that the court’s decision to conduct the trial on a daily basis empowered President Akufo-Addo to make purportedly biased remarks about the case.
“That at the campaign rally for the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the President made many prejudicial remarks, including some to the effect that the voters in the Assin North Constituency should not vote for a candidate who could end up in prison,” the application for stay of proceedings stated.
Charges
Mr. Quayson is being accused of committing forgery and perjury in connection with certain alleged acts that occurred prior to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election.
He has entered a plea of not guilty to five charges, which include forgery of passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration for office.
According to the prosecution, it is alleged that Mr. Quayson provided false information to the Passport Office by stating that he did not possess a passport from another country when he applied for a Ghanaian passport.
Furthermore, the prosecution has accused Mr. Quayson of making a false declaration to the Electoral Commission (EC), claiming that he did not owe allegiance to any foreign country when he submitted his candidacy for the Assin North seat.