How the Supreme Court Judges ruled in the Assin North MP’s case, as well as their detailed reasoning

The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, April 13, that Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson cannot perform Parliamentary duties until a substantive case filed against him is resolved.

The decision of the court was read aloud by Justice Jones Dotse.

“The application is approved. The MP is barred from acting as MP for Assin North and from attending Parliament to conduct business on behalf of the people of Assin North.

“The restriction will remain in effect until the substantive matter is finally resolved.” “We direct that the case hearing be expedited,” Justice Dotse said.

He was joined by Justices Agnes Dordzie, Nene Amegatcher, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkornoo, Prof. Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi.

Five of the judges, including Justices Jones Dotse, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkonoo, Prof Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, ruled that the MP should be barred from performing Parliamentary duties.

Four of the five Supreme Court Justices were appointed to the apex court in 2017, making them relatively new to the bench.

Justices Mariama Owusu and Gertrude Torkonoo were appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2019. Justices Emmanuel Y. Kulendi and Prof. Henrietta Mensah Bonsu were appointed to the Apex in May 2020.

Justice Dotse, who presided over the case, joined the Supreme Court in June 2008.

Justices Agnes Dordzie and Nene Amegatcher dissented from the majority decision. They believed that the MP should not be restrained. Both Judges were appointed to the Supreme Court in July 2018.