The Attorney-(A-G) General’s Office’s criminal charges against Assin North MP are in contempt of the Appeals Court, according to Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, and the minority caucus in parliament will fight them.
He believes the Attorney General’s decision to file charges against James Gyakye Quayson was incorrect because the Appeals Court has yet to rule on a pending petition involving the member of parliament (MP).
On February 3, 2022, the Minority Leader and Tamale Central MP made these remarks at a press conference in Parliament, adding that he does not understand why the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would fill another suit through the A-G to prevent the MP from holding himself out as such.
“Under the circumstances, the lawful and reasonable thing for the Ghana Police, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and their surrogates to do is to abide by the decision of the Court of Appeal on these processes as their modicum contribution to the respect for the rule of law.” Haruna Iddrisu was quoted by myjoyonline.com.
He went on to say that any attempt by the police to arrest and prosecute James Quayson on the basis that he was not an MP would be prejudicial and thus in contempt of the Court of Appeal, as well as a violation of the rule of law.
“Any attempt by the Police to prosecute James Quayson the conclusion or assumption that he was not or not qualified to contest the 2020 parliamentary election pending the final decision by the Supreme Court is only prejudicial of the Court of Appeal and therefore contemptuous of the Court of Appeal, and an obvious disrespect to the rule of law, and the rule to respect an independent arbiter of the judiciary,” he said.
- Abronye to Haruna Iddrisu: Question Mahama on the $600 million Chinese loan for Keta Sea Defense.
- After Haruna Iddrisu’s absolute rejection of the E-levy, NDC MPs and officials rallied behind him.
He added that the charges against James Quayson is part of plots by the government to reduce the numbers of the minority caucus in order to pass the E-Levy Bill.