Assin North MP Appeals Cape Coast Court Judgment Nullifying His Election

The 2020 National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has appealed the nullification of his election as Member of Parliament by a High Court.

Mr. Quayson in his appeal insists the Cape Coast High Court erred in its judgment.

Last Wednesday, the court had ruled that Mr. Quayson, still held allegiance to another country other than Ghana at the time of filing his documents to contest the election in Assin North.

The Court thus cancelled the said election and ordered a re-run. It also prohibited James Quayson from holding himself out as MP for Assin North.

Some watchers have expressed disappointment in the court’s decision, especially after it denied the MP opportunity to submit what he said was critical evidence from a court in Canada.

In his notice of appeal filed on Monday, August 2, 2021, at the Cape Coast Court of Appeal, Mr. Quayson contends Justice Kwasi Boakye’s judgment was neither based in law nor in fact.

He is therefore wants the Appeal Court to set aside the orders and costs awarded in the High Court Judgment.

He is also expected to cause his lawyers to apply to the Court for stay execution of the High Court orders pending the determination of the appeal.

According to his contention, the High Court acted out of jurisdiction by not referring the interpretation of Article 94 (2) (a) of the 1992 Constitution to the Supreme Court.

He, therefore, wants, “…a declaration that the judgment of the High Court, Cape Coast, Coram Kwasi Boakye dated 28th July 2021, is void for having been issued out of the jurisdiction; An order setting aside the judgment of High Court, Cape Coast, Coram Kwasi Boakye J., dated 28th July 2021; An order setting aside the award of costs against the appellant and in favour of the petitioner/respondent and the 2nd Respondent/Respondent; Costs in favour of the appellant and Any further or other order(s) the Court may deem fit.”

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has put on hold plans to invite and interrogate Mr. Quayeson over his supposed citizenship fraud. This is in connection to a petition by the Central Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Takyi Mensah.