High Court acquits Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson of forgery and perjury

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has been acquitted and discharged of forgery and perjury charges by an Accra High Court.

In a ruling delivered today, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh upheld a submission of no case filed by the MP’s lawyer, Tsatsu Tsikata.

The court held that the prosecution failed to establish the essential ingredients of the crimes with which the MP was charged.

Specifically, the judge ruled that Mr Quayson did not make false declarations on his nomination forms for the 2020 elections. At the time he declared that he owed allegiance to no other country besides Ghana, he had already submitted an application for renunciation of his Canadian citizenship. Therefore, the court held that his intent was not dishonest.

The court further noted inconsistencies in the passport summary sheet and statutory declarations presented by prosecution witnesses.

As a result, the court concluded that Mr Quayson could not be called upon to open his defence.

Not guilty

Mr Quayson was charged with forgery and perjury in connection with alleged offences in the lead-up to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election.

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

According to the prosecution, Mr Quayson allegedly made a false statement to the Passport Office, claiming that he did not hold a passport from any other country when applying for a Ghanaian passport.

Additionally, the prosecution accused him of making a false declaration to the Electoral Commission (EC), stating that he did not owe allegiance to any foreign country when he filed to contest the Assin North parliamentary seat.