Assin North MP’s presence in Parliament is contempt of court – Atta Akyea but Dafeamekpor disagrees

The presence of the Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyekye Quayson in the House on Thursday March 24 resulted in a heated debate among legislators regarding whether or not his presence was in contempt of court.

In Parliament, Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Dr Kingsley Nyarko asked the First Deputy Speaker who was presiding, Joseph Osei Owusu whether Mr Gyekye Quayson was permitted to be in the House and continue to carry himself as a lawmaker.

This comes after a Court of Appeal in Cape Coast on Tuesday March 22 struck out the appeal by Gyekye Quayson for non-compliance with court procedures.

Mr. Quayson had filed an appeal that was challenging a High court ruling that declared new parliamentray elections should be organised in the constituency.

The presiding judge, Irene Charity Larbi, ruled that the Mr Quayson failed to comply with the court’s directives to submit his written submission within a stipulated time.

Dr Kingsley Nyarko said “Honourable Speaker, we are law abiding people, we go by the tenets of the constitution. I want to find out from you whether his presence here is allowed.”

Adding his voice to this, the lawmaker for Akim Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea said the House should not condone the conduct of the embattled MP.

“Let it sound strong that he is disqualified to come to this chamber until he is allowed to sit here by a High Court. If not then he is in contempt of the court and this honourable house should not give its blessings to a man who has conducted himself improperly and we shouldn’t encourage such behavior for our own dignity.”

Reacting to this, South Dayi MP, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor said ” “The Honourable Atta Akyea has misled the House to suggest that the Appeal is not before the Court of Appeal , it was not dismissed. What was dismissed was an interlocutory matter that was set aside on grounds of noncompliance, the substantive appeal is pending. As a House, we cannot tolerate this. Our two brothers (Dr Kingley Naryko and Atta Akyea) are completely out of order for raising this matter on this floor.

“The right of the Honoruable member is not yet determined by a court of law , he has the right of an appeal which appeal is still.”

Ruling on the matter, the First Deputy Speaker said “The only thing that has to be verified is whether or not the appeal has been determined. That is a question of fact, it is not the question oif law and I do not intend that we do that at this moment. I will discuss that with leadership and whatever steps we have to take we will take after that.”