James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North, has taken legal action against his fellow MP, Kobina Tahir Hammond, who also serves as the trade minister and represents the Adansi Asokwa constituency. Quayson has accused Hammond of contempt of court, following comments he made in relation to Quayson's ongoing criminal trial.
The application for contempt of court was filed on July 7, 2023, in an Accra High Court. In the affidavit submitted in support of the application, Quayson's lawyer, Justin Pwavra Teriwajah, argued that Hammond's comments were in violation of Quayson's right to be presumed innocent and to a fair trial. Teriwajah also accused Hammond of being in contempt of court, stating that his comments were prejudicial to the lawful process of the court.
Teriwajah went on to argue that Hammond's comments were an attempt to usurp the function of the trial judge and could bring the judicial process into disrepute. The lawyer also cited Article 126(2) of the Constitution, which empowers the court to commit individuals for contempt of itself in order to maintain the purity of the justice system.
In the final paragraph of the application, Teriwajah called for Hammond to be brought before the court and tried for contempt of court. If found guilty, Teriwajah requested that Hammond be sentenced to prison.
This case highlights the tensions that can arise between politicians, particularly when they are involved in legal disputes. The use of strong language in the affidavit reflects the seriousness of the allegations against Hammond and the importance of protecting the integrity of the justice system.
Given the high-profile nature of the case, it is likely to attract significant media attention and public interest in the coming weeks. The outcome of this case will be eagerly awaited by many in Ghana's political and legal circles.
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