Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyakye Quayson has been acquitted and discharged by the Accra High Court, bringing an end to the long-standing legal battle over allegations of forgery and perjury.
Delivering her verdict, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh upheld a no-case submission filed by Quayson’s lead lawyer, Tsatsu Tsikata, concluding that the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements required to sustain the charges.
The court determined that there was no credible evidence indicating that Quayson made false statements on his 2020 parliamentary nomination forms. It was established that he had already initiated the process to renounce his Canadian citizenship before affirming exclusive allegiance to Ghana.
Justice Yanzuh also highlighted discrepancies in the prosecution’s evidence, particularly referencing inconsistencies in a passport summary sheet and certain statutory declarations that had been submitted.
Given the court’s ruling, Quayson will not be required to present a defence.
The MP had maintained his innocence throughout the trial, facing five charges in total, including passport forgery, perjury, and false declarations to the Passport Office and the Electoral Commission.
