Speaker , Alban Bagbin Voices Out His Concerns About James Quayson's Court Case

During a recent visit to Media General in Accra, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing criminal prosecution of James Gyakye Quayson, the newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North.

Bagbin argued that there appears to be a pattern of selective prosecution, as numerous individuals in comparable situations to Gyakye Quayson are not prosecuted.

During his visit, Bagbin stated, "The same thing I complained about, they are still pursuing him and attempting to prosecute him, even though there are many others with the same issue who are not being prosecuted. This is the country where we are. Once we have discriminatory justice, there will never be peace; there is no peace without justice."

Previously, the Supreme Court invalidated Gyakye Quayson's election as MP for Assin North due to his holding Canadian citizenship while running as a Ghanaian citizen in the 2020 election.
However, he was re-elected in a by-election conducted in Assin North on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Now Gyakye Quayson is charged with perjury and deceiving a public official.


The Supreme Court adjourned the criminal trial on Thursday until July 4 to enable Gyakye Quayson's legal team to file a motion for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal. Gyakye Quayson is presently appealing a ruling by the High Court that his criminal case must be heard daily.

The verdict, rendered by Justice Mary Yanzuh on June 23, 2023, denied Gyakye Quayson's attorneys' request to alter the hearing schedule.

Therefore, the MP-elect would be required to appear in court daily beginning on July 4, regardless of his status as a lawmaker. This decision, according to Gyakye Quayson, violates his right to an impartial trial.

In Ghana's legal system, the case of Gyakye Quayson has brought attention to the issue of selective justice.

Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has emphasized the need for a more consistent approach in such matters to ensure fairness and, ultimately, to preserve the country's tranquility.