Court gives Gyakye Quayson the go-ahead to run for office

James Gyakye Quayson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Assin North by-election, has been given permission to skip the upcoming hearing while the Accra High Court decides whether to grant his attorneys’ request to postpone the trial until after the by-election on June 27.

Tsatsu Tsikata, the deposed Assin North MP’s lead attorney, had stated that the Attorney General had made disparaging remarks and had disregarded legal decorum with his utterances inside and outside of court as well as during news 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 provisions 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 him 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 currently 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.

Source: Mynewsghana.com