An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh, has thrown out a motion by lawyers of James Gyakye Quayson seeking to halt the day-to-day adjudication of the trial.
The court on Friday, June 23, 2023, upheld its decision to hear the trial daily, starting from July 4, 2023.
The court deemed its previous order, issued on June 16, to be within the bounds of the law and found no grounds for a review.
“Adjournments are at the discretion of the court and not the convenience of parties. The order of this court was clearly in line with the law. Nowhere was it demonstrated that the order was contrary to law. His rights have not been violated by the court for refusing not to give him time to campaign. Mere refusal of the court does not constitute a denial of the right to a fair trial,” the judge stated.
Mr Quayson’s lawyers filed for a review of the court’s order, arguing that he needed time to campaign ahead of the Assin North by-election on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
The defence presented documents to the court containing statements made by the Attorney General, which they said prejudiced the case.
However, Justice Yanzuh ruled that those statements were not relevant to the matter at hand.
“None of the above grounds has been made to warrant a review. The points raised are not different from those canvassed previously. The only new information is the alleged prejudicial comments made by the AG. These assertions are not relevant for me to review my decision. Fair trial is against undue delay. It is in the interest of justice that trials are not unduly delayed,” the judge explained.
Consequently, the proceedings were adjourned to June 29 and July 4, with the trial set to continue on a day-to-day basis thereafter.
The chosen dates were selected due to the unavailability of the specific courtroom on Mondays, the Assin North by-election on June 27, and the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha public holiday.
