Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has been given 31 days by the High Court in Accra to justify his comments suggesting that Member of Parliament James Gyakye Quayson would go to jail in his ongoing criminal trial
The court has directed both parties to file their statements by August 31, 2023, and has opted for written submissions rather than oral arguments.
The judgment on the case is scheduled for October 19, 2023. Quayson has filed a lawsuit citing contempt against KT Hammond for alleged comments made on Oyerepa TV, which he claims violate his right to a fair trial. The charges against Quayson include perjury and forgery related to his Canadian citizenship status during the 2020 parliamentary election, following a Supreme Court ruling that nullified his election.
The High Court’s presiding judge, Justice Mary Anzu, has set the date for her judgment on October 19, 2023, to determine whether Minister KT Hammond is guilty of contempt for his comments suggesting that MP James Gyakye Quayson will go to prison in an ongoing perjury case.
Both parties have been instructed to submit written arguments by August 31, 2023. Quayson, who is facing forgery and perjury charges related to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election, has pleaded not guilty.
He filed a writ accusing KT Hammond of contempt, alleging that the comments made were prejudicial and violated his right to a fair trial. During the court proceeding on July 28, Hammond was absent when the case was called.
