Court acquits Gyakye Quayson of perjury, forgery

The High Court in Accra has acquitted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, on five criminal charges after five years of trial. 

In a ruling delivered yesterday, the Criminal Division of the High Court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh ruled that Mr Quayson did not make false declarations on his nomination forms for the 2020 election.

Specifically, she ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the elements of the five charges of deceit of public officer, forgery of passport, knowingly making false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office, upholding a submission of no case filed by the MP’s lawyer, Tsatsu Tsikata.

The presiding judge added that at the time Mr Quayson declared that he owed allegiance to no other country besides Ghana, he had already submitted an application for renunciation of his Canadian citizenship.

Consequently, the court held that his intent was not dishonest.

In addition to that, the court was of the view that the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies on the dates Mr Quayson applied for the passport were inconsistent, making it difficult for the court to accept the passport application form and summary sheet presented by the prosecution. 

Charges

Mr Quayson was charged with forgery and perjury in the trial, which started after the 2020 election.

He pleaded not guilty to five counts of forgery of a passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.

It was the case of the prosecution that Mr Quayson allegedly made a false statement to the passport office that he did not hold a passport from another country when he applied for a Ghanaian passport.

In addition, the prosecution accused Mr Quayson of making a false declaration to the Electoral Commission (EC) to the effect that he (Quayson) did not owe any allegiance to a foreign country when he filed to contest as a candidate for the Assin North seat.

The prosecution closed its case on February 12, 2025, after which the court ordered both sides to file written submissions on whether a case had been made by the prosecution.

In all, the prosecution called six witnesses before bringing its case to a close.

Reaction

Mr Quayson described his victory as a win for his constituents and the nation as a whole, expressing gratitude and his belief in the legal system.

“It is almost expected because you see, when a man is innocent, no matter what you do, it will be pronounced at some point.

“They were trying to prosecute me but this is a court of law.

There is a difference between prosecution and persecution.

I am very proud of our Lady Justice Mary Ekue Yanzuh.

I was going to tell her in the courtroom but the rules don’t allow that.

She is a very decent human being; more blessings for her,” he said.

He maintained that the case against him was politically motivated, adding, “You all know the case was political; it was not factual.

You heard the facts from the judges; documents were falsified just to get a conviction. But she has been very firm”. 

He further called on Ghanaians in the diaspora who wish to return home and serve not to hesitate to come.

“Today’s triumph of justice should be a clarion call to them.

They should not hesitate in their wish to come and serve,” the Assin North MP added.