Embattled National Democratic Congress’ Parliamentary Candidate in the Assin North Constituency upcoming by-election James Quayson has had his motion for variation of orders for day-to-day sittings dismissed.
This was after the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh ruled that the discretion to adjourn cases is the “sole discretion” of the court and not the parties.
According EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, despite dismissing the motion, James Quayson now has breathing space to campaign ahead of the by-election on June 27.
The Court said those days picked earlier for the day-to-day basis have been exhausted following today’s ruling.
The judge also explained that the court was also not available to sit on Mondays and coupled with the fact that the by-election would take place on June 27, and June 28 being Eid-ul-Adha celebration, the next available date would be June 29.
The court also said the case would then be adjourned to July 4 and from then James Quayson will appear in Court daily for the trial.
Earlier, James Gyakye Quayson was on June 21 granted permission to absent himself from court sitting today (Friday).
On June 21 Lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata moved the motion seeking variation of orders of the court to conduct his criminal case daily especially within the periods of June 20 and 27.
But, the Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame opposed to the motion on grounds that it was unmeritorious and unnecessary.
The court in its ruling said the application is dismissed.
After adjourning the case to June 23, one of the days in contention, lead counsel for Mr Quayson, Tastsu Tsikata prayed for the presence of the accused to be dispensed on June 23.
James Quayson who had had his status as MP declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court due to dual citizenship petition, had pleaded not guilty to five charges.
The charges are deceit of the Public officer, forgery of passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah
