Judiciary must sanction Dormaahene over Gyakye Quayson comment, says Okudzeto

The renowned Ghanaian lawyer Sam Okudzeto has taken a swipe at the Dormaahene (the paramount chief of Dormaa) for meddling in politics, contrary to the spirit of the 1992 constitution.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, over the weekend, appealed to President Akufo-Addo and the Attorney General to stop, as a matter of urgency, the trial of the MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

Quayson is facing charges of forgery and perjury in relation to certain alleged offences in the run-up to the 2020 parliamentary election.

He has pleaded not guilty to five counts of forgery of passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.

The Dormaahene, who doubles as a high court judge, said if the trial continues it will hinder development, especially within Assin North.

He goofed

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (3 July 2023), Okudzeto said the Dormaahene goofed with his statement and urged the Judicial Council to sanction him.

“I must confess that I am saddened and shocked because the one involved is not just an ordinary chief but a paramount chief. That is a very high position to be held in high esteem,” Okudzeto told the show host, Benjamin Offei-Addo.

“He should not meddle in politics,” Okudzeto said, adding: “In fact, the constitution is very clear on that and the basis for that is that everybody in his jurisdiction owes allegiance to him and therefore that is why he shouldn’t involve in partisan politics …

“And so, I am shocked, because I had heard he’d done something like that and many lawyers were angry and thought he should be removed from the bench … If the Supreme Court sat and analysed, what is his business … the Judicial Council must sanction him,” Okudzeto said.

Listen to Sam Okudzeto in the audio clip attached below:

Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra

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