The High Court in Accra has set March 27, 2025, as the date to determine whether Assin North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gyakye Quayson should open his defense in a trial where he is accused of deceiving a public officer to obtain a Ghanaian passport.
James Quayson, who has pleaded not guilty to five counts of forgery, perjury, and false declaration, has been accused of making false statements to the Passport Office and the Electoral Commission.
The prosecution alleges that Quayson claimed he did not hold a passport to another country when applying for a Ghanaian passport, and also falsely declared that he did not owe allegiance to a foreign country when filing to contest the Assin North parliamentary seat.
The case has been ongoing, with the prosecution calling six witnesses before closing its case on February 12, 2025.
The court had initially set March 3, 2025, to rule on whether James Quayson should open his defense, but the Office of the Attorney-General failed to meet the deadline to file written arguments.
Counsel for Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, argued that the prosecution should address the issues raised by the defense, given the additional time granted to file written arguments. Justice Mary Yanzuh adjourned the trial to March 27, 2025, to give a ruling on the submissions.
The outcome of the trial will determine James Quayson’s fate, and it remains to be seen whether he will be required to open his defense or if the case will be dismissed.
-BY Issah Olegor
