The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye-Quayson, has taken legal action to halt the criminal trial against him.
Tsatsu Tsikata, his lead counsel, confirmed that a motion has been filed at the Supreme Court to prevent the High Court from proceeding with the case.
The MP has also requested additional documents from state prosecutors to gain a comprehensive understanding of the charges leveled against him.
Tsatsu Tsikata, representing James Gyakye-Quayson, stated on Friday, July 14, “We have filed an application for a stay of proceedings that has been set for Wednesday, the 19th of July, at the Court of Appeal.”
- Paramount Chief of Suma Traditional Area endorses anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, emphasizes cultural preservation
“We have also filed in the Supreme Court a motion invoking the supervisory jurisdiction for an order directed at this court to quash the decision made on the 16th of June and another to prohibit the court from proceeding with the case.”
The Minority in Parliament have expressed solidarity with the MP on trial.
Minority leader Forson reiterated that the group would continue to boycott parliamentary sittings whenever the Assin North lawmaker has a court appearance.
Meanwhile Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah viewed these actions as attempts by Gyakye-Quayson’s legal team to deliberately delay the trial.
He remarked, “There is an attempt to delay proceedings through the legal process, which we say is fine, it is within their right to use the legal procedure to fight their cause, but that doesn’t mean that when they file such applications the court must wait for them…we are concerned about that, but we are ready.”
The outcome of the motions filed by Gyakye-Quayson’s legal team will determine the course of the ongoing criminal trial, as the Supreme Court deliberates on the requests for a stay of proceedings and the quashing of the judge’s decision.
