To open defence or not; Court sets March 27 to decide in Quayson criminal case

The Accra High Court has scheduled March 27, 2025, to decide whether Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, should present his defence in an ongoing trial where he is accused of misleading a public officer to obtain a Ghanaian passport.

Originally, the court was set to deliver its ruling on March 3. However, the Office of the Attorney-General missed the deadline for submitting written arguments supporting their claim that the MP has a case to answer.

Mr. Quayson’s lawyer, Tsatsu Tsikata, argued that since the prosecution has been granted additional time, their submission should also address the concerns raised by the defense.

Presiding judge Justice Mary Yanzuh then adjourned proceedings to March 27, granting the prosecution until the end of today to submit its written arguments.

Allegations and Court Proceedings

Mr. Quayson faces charges of forgery and perjury linked to events surrounding the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election. He has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including forgery of a passport, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and making a false declaration for office.

According to the prosecution, the MP falsely claimed to the Passport Office that he did not hold citizenship in another country when applying for a Ghanaian passport. Additionally, he is accused of declaring to the Electoral Commission (EC) that he owed no allegiance to any foreign nation when filing to contest for the Assin North seat.

The prosecution concluded its case on February 12, 2025, after presenting six witnesses. Following this, the court directed both parties to submit written arguments to determine whether a strong enough case had been established for Mr. Quayson to respond.

With the prosecution now required to file its submissions by the close of today, the next phase of the trial hinges on the court’s March 27 ruling.