‘Akufo-Addo’s Comments Did Not Influence Quayson’s Daily Trial Ruling’
The Court of Appeal has ruled that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s comment on the Assin North MP’s case did not influence the High Court decision in any way.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel concluded that the trial judge had acted within the confines of the law, and there was no evidence to suggest that James Gyakye Quayson’s right to a fair trial had been compromised.
“We have averted our minds to the provisions in the constitution, the Baffoe Bonnie case, and effective case management strategy as published, as we understand, the learned judge in making that decision acted within the remits of the law, and we are unable to agree that his right to a fair trial has been curtailed.
“We have paid attention to alleged prejudicial comments by President, AG and other ministers, those comments are extrajudicial, and the trial judge did not make any decision based on those comments.
“It has not been demonstrated before us that the order before the trial judge goes anywhere near any breach of the constitution. It has also not been demonstrated that the ruling was arbitrary, capricious or biased. No exceptional circumstance has been demonstrated. The application is hereby refused,” the panel said.
It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo, on June 25, at the Church of Pentecost in Assin Akonfudi, said Mr Quayson is a candidate for jail.
“They say even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail, they will vote for him. Are we going to vote for someone who is going to prison? What benefits will the people derive from voting for such a person? We want someone when he is voted for can come to me and plan how to develop the constituency,” the president stated.
The president’s remarks sparked discussions, with some suggesting they were prejudicial and contravened the principles outlined in the 1992 Constitution.
However, the Court of Appeal’s ruling determined that the president’s comments did not impact the High Court’s decision to proceed with the daily trial schedule.