Charge of forgery, perjury: Assin-North MP pleads not guilty, granted bail
The MP who was in court this time around, has been charged by the state on five counts of perjury and forgery of passport.
The Accra High Court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢ 100,000 with one surety to Assin-North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson after he pleaded not guilty on charges of perjury and forgery of passport.
The MP who was in court this time around, has been charged by the state on five counts of perjury and forgery of passport.
His lawyer, Tsatsu Tsikata who had told the court not to proceed with taking the MP’s plea argued that some documents filed by the AG as the basis for the charge, raises issues that require interpretation of constitutional provisions.
The court, presided over by Justice Mary Nsenkyire however directed that the accused person’s plea be taken.
Prosecutors have been asked to file all disclosures within three weeks.
The accused person is also to file responses and witness statements he intends to rely on if a prima facie case is made against him.
Finally, the court has directed that he deposits his passport at the office of the court Registrar.
The case has been adjourned to March 15, 2022
Background
According to the charge sheet filed at the High Court and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the AG Department, the MP is to face ;
1.A first charge of “deceit of public officer” contrary to the Criminal offences Act, 1960(Act 29).
According to the charge sheet, the MP, James Quayson made a false statement to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2019 that he did not have dual citizenship in acquiring a Ghanaian passport which he did not have a good reason to believe to be true.
2. Forgery of passport which is contrary to Section 15(1) of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).
Prosecutors indicate that the MP made in 2019, a false statement at the Passport Office in Accra that he did not have dual citizenship.
3. Additionally, the MP faces a charge of ‘Knowingly making a false statutory declaration’, contrary to section 5 of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1971 (Act 389).
The charge sheet indicates that Hon. Quayson made a statutory declaration at Assin Fosu that he did not owe allegiance to any other country other than Ghana.
4. The fourth charge is ‘Perjury’ contrary to section 210(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The charge sheet indicates that Hon. Quayson made a statutory declaration at Assin Fosu that he did not owe allegiance to any other country other than Ghana.
5. Finally, ‘False declaration for office’ contrary to section 248 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
It further indicates that on or about 8 October 2020 at the Electoral Commission Office, Hon Quayson obtained a public office as an MP by using a declaration knowingly that he did not owe allegiance to any other country but Ghana.
