Embattled former Assin North MP, Joe Gyaakye Quayson took some of his former colleagues by surprise when he joined them during the first in-person meeting of the Privileges Committee of Parliament.
Although some MPs at the meeting raised objections because a court had declared his victory null and void, he was later allowed to stay after some debate.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Joseph Opoku Gakpo, Mr Quayson said he is amused when people argue that he shouldn’t be allowed to participate in any committee meeting as an MP.
This according to him is because, after the court’s pronouncement, he had filed a stay of execution, to ensure he remains the MP for Assin North despite the court order.
“I have not violated any rules. I think sometimes the interpretation of the law is not clear to many people. Laws get updated and so sometimes we all need to refer to make sure that we know the current status of other legalities so that we can make better-informed decisions.”
“The court’s directives are there but also there is a process that you take after such pronouncements of the ruling, which I have satisfied all requirements. I am not going into details of that, but as long as I know, based on those processes that I have initiated and made sure they are in place, it still gives me that opportunity, to stay as Member of Parliament for Assin North,” he said.
On Wednesday, a Cape Coast High Court cancelled the Parliamentary results for the Assin North constituency in the 2020 Parliamentary elections.
The Court presided over by Justice Kwasi Boakye, ordered for a new election to be conducted in the Constituency.
However, on Monday, August 2, the former Assin North MP, Joe Gyakye Quayson, told the people of the constituency that he remains their legislator despite the High Court’s ruling that states otherwise.
Following his pronouncements, the National Youth Organiser for NPP, Henry Nana Boakye said the party will file a contempt charge against him.
Mr. Boakye said Mr Quayson, at the time had only filed an appeal and not filed for a stay of execution to temporarily suspend the enforcement of the court’s judgment.
“An appeal does not operate as a stay of execution, so, I am surprised how he could still hold himself up with such boldness and declare he is still the MP. Frankly speaking, this is an act of contempt.”
Subsequently, on Thursday, August 5, Mr Quayson filed for a stay of execution to have the application of the ruling withheld pending the hearing of his appeal.
“There is a new law in effect that once you file those processes (stay of execution), it automatically binds you into a position where it is almost as if it is heard.” Mr Quayson said.
He stated that in effect, he can continue his duties as a Member of Parliament, which includes attending committee meetings.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com
