‘The Law is like an Axe, the Judge Determines its Direction’- AFAG
As the trial of Hon. James Gyakye Quayson continues to generate public interest, concerns have been raised about the daily nature of the proceedings. However, in a statement, Henry Asante, the Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), a public interest advocacy group, highlighted that judges possess the authority to decide the frequency of hearings in order to ensure a speedy trial and efficient administration of justice.
“The law is like an axe, the judge determines its direction. Law is not static. If judge thinks that it will lead to a speedy trial, then daily hearing won’t be bad,” he said in an interview on Nkwantannanso with George Adjei on July 6.
The court upheld the argument for the Attorney-General to conduct trial of the case on daily basis.
In response, Mr. Quayson filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal, contesting the daily trial order issued by High Court judge Mary Yanzuh.
His legal team asserts that several errors of law were committed by the trial judge, which they believe infringes upon Quayson’s right to a fair trial.
Hon. James Gyakye Quayson’s election as the Member of Parliament for Assin North was nullified by the Supreme Court due to his dual citizenship as a Ghanaian and a Canadian at the time he filed his nomination for the 2020 election.
Consequently, he now faces charges of perjury and deceiving a public officer.
