Quayson's criminal trial: Lawyers say MP in Canada for health emergency as court hears case in absentia

An Accra High Court hearing the criminal trial of Assin-North MP James Gyakye Quayson, on Thursday, continued the case in his absence. 

This comes after the MP failed to make an appearance in court or join virtual proceedings despite the court's earlier warning of trying his case in absentia. The court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh at its November 3 proceedings had said it would not countenance undue delays in the trial. 

But present at Thursday's hearing, Quayson's lawyers told the court their client was away in Canada for a medical situation, and explained further that his side was preparing for the medical doctors in Canada to provide the court with an update on his medical situation. 

“I have spoken to the accused person and he is going to provide full details from doctors in Canada of his medical situation. In the meantime, he has instructed me to contact a medical doctor in Ghana who has examined him just before he travelled," lead counsel Tsatsu Tsikata said. 

Urging the court to reconsider its stance on trying the case in absentia, Mr. Tsikata also explained that his side was not aware of the November 3 proceedings, citing failed attempts to reach the Attorney-General’s Office to agree on a mutual date for the trial. 

He added that they were only served with a hearing notice and not the record of proceedings for November 3. 

“We tried to reach her without any success. We have an indication that November 17, 2923, was our preferred date. We did not hear any response to that letter and we had no idea of what transpired on November 3, 2023, on what the court had said on this case,” he further said. 

However, Justice Yanzuh said there was no evidence before the court confirming the medical condition of the accused; and therefore directed that Quayson's lawyers conclude the cross-examination of the prosecution's first witness, Richard Takyi. 

Gyakye Quayson is facing charges of perjury and forgery of a passport with the specific charges being; deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration.