Gyakye Quayson acquitted and discharged by High Court after 3-year legal battle

An Accra High Court has acquitted and discharged the MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, for all the five counts of charges leveled against him in relation to his 2020 parliamentary nomination and election.

After years of legal proceedings, the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekua Yanzuh, has cleared James Gyakye Quayson of all five charges, including deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration for office.

The court held that the prosecution failed to prove the essential ingredients of the charges.

In her ruling, Justice Yanzuh stated that Mr. Quayson did not make false declarations on his nomination forms for the 2020 elections.

According to the court, at the time the MP declared he owed allegiance to no other country apart from Ghana, he had already submitted an application to renounce his Canadian citizenship — proving that he had no dishonest intent.

The judge also pointed out inconsistencies in documents submitted by the prosecution, including the passport summary sheet and statutory declarations, which weakened the case further.

Mr. Quayson had consistently maintained his innocence throughout the trial and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After the court proceedings, the MP shared how excited he was with the media and sang praises to the judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekua Yanzuh, for delivering justice. He added that he wished he had the opportunity to say this in open court but acknowledged that such remarks are not allowed in the courtroom.