By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, April 9, GNA – An Accra High Court has acquitted and discharged Mr James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, on all five charges.
The charges are; deceit of public officer, Forgery of passport, Knowingly making a false statutory declaration, Perjury, and False declaration for office.
The first charge; deceit of public officer, is contrary to the Criminal Offences Act, 1960(Act 29), the Forgery of passport is contrary to Section 15(1) of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), and knowingly making a false statutory declaration is contrary to section 5 of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1971 (Act 389).
The rest are ‘Perjury’ contrary to section 210(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and ‘False declaration for office’ contrary to section 248 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, delivering the ruling, upheld the submission of no case filed by Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, Counsel for Gyakye Quayson.
The court said the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie on all charges leveled against the MP.
According to the Judge, Mr Quayson did not make false declarations on his nomination forms for the 2020 elections, because as at the time he declared that he owed allegiance to no other country besides Ghana, he had already applied for renunciation of his Canadian citizenship, 10 months ago.
Hence, the court, therefore, was of the view that his intent was not dishonest.
The court also noticed some inconsistencies in the passport summary sheet and application form presented by prosecution.
He has since pleaded not guilty and has been granted bail.
GNA
ABD