A former Deputy Attorney-General has said defended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s prison comment on James Gyakye Quayson during a rally of the New Patriotic Party I(NPP) in Assin North.
The President, at the NPP’s rally on Sunday, June 25, questioned the rationale behind voting for a candidate who is facing imprisonment, taking a direct swipe at the ousted Member of Parliament for the constituency, James Gyakye Quayson.
“They say even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail they will vote for him, are we going to vote for someone who is going to prison?
“What benefits will the people derive from voting for such a person? We want someone when he is voted for can come to me and plan how to develop the constituency,” he quizzed.
Former Deputy AG, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, however, argued President Akufo-Addo did not make a categorical statement that the Assin North MP-elect will go to prison.
“There was no categorical statement by the president that Gyakye Quayson will be convicted,” the former Tempane Lawmaker said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 1.
Mr Gyakye Quayson expressed disappointment at the prison comment made by the President regarding his criminal trial and stressed he is innocent until proven guilty by the court.
Speaking to journalists just before he was declared winner of the Tuesday, June 27 by-election, he said “I believe in the rule of law and I do things according to the law. Also, I had the support of my constituents, not just the people of Assin North alone, my NDC fraternity, and people from the other side of the aisle which is the NPP who were supporting me. They may not be able to identify.
“I was treated unfairly but as I said I had to abide by the court’s decision. If they didn’t believe in what I did, now they know the results.”
Regarding Mr Akufo-Addo’s comment, he said “I was a bit disappointed when I heard it. I know he is a lawyer and the fundamental value of the legal system is that you are innocent until proven guilty. So for him to say that, I think it is not a qualified statement.
“Again the good people of Assin North have demonstrated that they have a conscience and they believe in me.”