An Accra High Court has dismissed an application for a stay of proceedings filed by the Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, in his criminal trial.
The application sought to halt proceedings on the grounds that a review application had been filed before the Court of Appeal.
The MP’s legal team contends that until a determination has been made regarding the appeal challenging the High Court’s decision to hear the case on a day-to-day basis, the main trial should be put on hold.
But the trial judge Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh on Tuesday, July 11, dismissed the stay of proceedings application.
The court said no exceptional circumstance had been proven by Quayson’s lawyers to warrant the grant of stay of proceedings.
“I am unable to agree with the submission that the appeal has a brighter chance of success because of errors of law.
“The fact that the applicant believes his appeal will succeed does not by itself warrant a special circumstance for a stay to be granted,” the judge said.
The court reaffirmed that its decision to hear the case on a day-to-day basis remains in force.
However, the lead Counsel for Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, informed the court of his intention to file another application at the Court of Appeal to put the trial on hold.
He also requested a later date for the trial, citing the need to attend to a private matter.
Consequently, the trial has been adjourned to Friday, July 14, 2023.
Mr Quayson is before the court on five charges — deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statement, perjury, and false declaration for office.