Assin North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gyakye Quayson has expressed joy and relief after being acquitted and discharged following criminal charges related to allegations of dual citizenship.
The criminal jurisdiction of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Mary Ekue Yanzuh, delivered the ruling on Wednesday, April 9, concluding a three-year legal battle.
Mr. Quayson faced five charges, including forgery of a passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration for office.
Speaking in an interview after the court proceedings, Mr. Quayson expressed satisfaction with the decision, noting that the outcome was expected.
“Well, it’s the same as your reaction. It’s almost expected because you see, when a man is innocent, no matter what you do, it will be pronounced as some later date. They were for persecution. They were trying to prosecute, but this is a court of law. That’s the difference between prosecution and persecution,” he said.
Mr. Quayson also commended Justice Yanzuh for her work, calling the ruling justice for both himself and the country.
“I’m very proud that our lady justice, Mary… I was going to tell her in the courtroom, but Bruce doesn’t allow that. I was going to tell her she’s a very decent human being. And more blessings for her. Thanks to God, thanks to all these people behind me—family, friends, my dear sister here, member of parliament. We are all in this together, and I think this is a day for a synod. Justice for a synod and justice for Ghana,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker announced he would release an article on the matter soon.
“It’s not about me. So I will release, if you’re more interested, I have a short brief article. I can give it to you guys to go and put your own thoughts together. Whatever portion you want to release, all of it or part of it, that’s fine. But you know, this is… Justice for everybody, including you guys,” he added.
The ruling brings finality to the long-standing legal battle over claims that Mr. Quayson held Canadian citizenship when he filed to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections—an act the prosecution argued violated the Ghanaian Constitution.
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