The High Court in Accra has set March 27, 2025, to determine whether Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson should open his defence in his trial for allegedly deceiving a public officer to obtain a Ghanaian passport.
The court was expected to rule on March 3, but the Office of the Attorney-General failed to meet the deadline to file written arguments supporting its claim that the MP should open his defence.
Counsel for Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, argued that since the prosecution now has more time, it should also address the issues raised by the defence.
Justice Mary Yanzuh adjourned the trial to March 27, 2025, to rule on the submissions and directed the prosecution to file its written arguments by the close of today.
Not Guilty Plea
Quayson faces charges of forgery and perjury related to alleged offences in the run-up to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election.
He has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including forgery of a passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration for office.
The prosecution alleges that Quayson falsely declared to the Passport Office that he did not hold a passport from another country when applying for a Ghanaian passport.
Additionally, he is accused of falsely declaring to the Electoral Commission (EC) that he owed no allegiance to a foreign country when filing to contest the Assin North seat.
The prosecution closed its case on February 12, 2025, after calling six witnesses. The court then ordered both parties to file written submissions on whether the prosecution had made a sufficient case against Quayson.
