An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh, has issued a stern notice to Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, stating that he might have to conduct his own case if his lawyers fail to appear.
This comes after the court received a letter from Mr Quayson’s lawyer, Justin Teriwajah, explaining his absence due to illness and having been granted three days of rest by a medical officer.
In the letter, Mr Teriwajah requested an adjournment of the case to resume after the legal vacation.
This led to concerns from a Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah Yeboah, who pointed out that granting the adjournment would mean the state’s witness, Richard Takyi Mensah, would have to testify in the new legal year, leaving his testimony incomplete.
Deputy AG Yeboah emphasized the prolonged duration of the case, which began in January 2022, and how the first prosecution witness (PW1) started giving evidence on July 12, 2022.
“…this case started in January 2022. Prosecution Witness (PW1) commenced his evidence in chief on 12th July 2022, it’s been one year, 16 days since PW1 mounted the witness box.”
“In view of this, I will like to pray that this matter is adjourned to Monday subject to my lady’s convenience to have cross-examination of PW1 completed.”
He continued that the records available show that Mr Teriwajah is the actual lawyer for the legislator.
The whereabouts of Tsatsu Tsikata who has mainly been conducting the case was thus not of concern to him.
Justice Yanzuh then called on Mr Quayson to respond to the matter. The legislator urged the court to grant the lawyers’ request for an adjournment. He shared his health struggles, claiming to have been unwell for three years.
“I wish you grant the request. I have been unwell for three years now,” he said.
Justice Yanzuh eventually decided to continue the case on July 31, taking into consideration the lawyers’ plea for an adjournment.
However, she warned that if the lawyers failed to appear on the next scheduled date, Mr Quayson would have to conduct his cross-examination on his own.
“If on July 31, counsel does not appear, the court will have no option than to have the accused person continue his cross-examination,” she stated.
