Court issues criminal summons on Assin North MP

An Accra High Court has issued a criminal summons on the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Qyayson, for failing to appear before it on the charges of perjury.

The summons follows an application made by the Director of Public Prosecution at the Attorney-General’s Department (DPP), Yvonne Attakora-Obuobisa.

The DPP told the Court’s criminal division that efforts to serve the embattled Assin North Member of Parliament with court processes both at his residence in his constituency and Accra, all proved futile.

The MP was to appear in court on Thursday, February 3, 2022, but that did not happen. Prosecutors say they have been unable to serve him with the summons.

The court then directed a hearing notice be issued and served on the MP for him to appear in court on Wednesday, February 9.

“On February 3, we caused a hearing notice to be issued with the service address of the accused at Assin Bereku in the Central Region. Subsequently, we got the Accra address. The police pasted the hearing notice at his residence at Manet estate in Accra.

“On this same February 7, the police, the investigator also posted a copy of the charge sheet on the home of the accused person. The police met an occupant of the house who refused to take the charge sheet and said the accused persons had gone out,“ the DPP is reported by Myjoyonline to have told the court Wednesday.

She added, “Respectfully, with the attempts made to effect service and the fact that at every time, the police or bailiffs are told the accused persons has gone out, a bench warrant should be issued for his arrest to enable him to appear before the court for trial.”

However, the court demanded criminal summons be posted at the residence of the lawmaker rather.

The Assin North MP is currently facing charges including forgery and perjury. He is also accused of deceiving a public officer and knowingly making a false declaration.

In July 2021, the High Court annulled the Assin North Parliamentary elections saying Mr Quayson was not eligible to contest the polls.

Mr Quayson has since been legally fighting to set this aside with the matter currently pending at the Court of Appeal.