James Gyakye Quayson acquitted and discharged by High Court in dual citizenship case

James Gyakye Quayson, the MP for Assin North, has been acquitted. The High Court ruled on April 9, 2025. He faced criminal charges related to dual citizenship allegations.

The case centered on claims that Quayson held Canadian citizenship. This was when he filed to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections. The prosecution argued that this violated the Ghanaian Constitution. They claimed it disqualified him from being an MP.

Quayson denied these allegations. He stated he had renounced his Canadian citizenship before submitting his nomination papers. His legal team filed a "no case to answer" motion, which led to the court's ruling in his favor.

The judge found that the prosecution failed to prove their case. There was no evidence showing Quayson made false declarations in his nomination forms. At the time of submission, he was already renouncing his Canadian citizenship.

The court deemed his statement about allegiance to Ghana truthful and sincere. It also noted inconsistencies in the prosecution's evidence. Discrepancies in passport summaries and witness statements weakened their case significantly.

The judge stated there were no grounds for Quayson to open his defense. This effectively ended the case and cleared him of all charges.

Quayson faced five charges total, including forgery and perjury. The prosecution alleged he misled authorities about his allegiance status.

After the ruling, Quayson expressed relief and gratitude. He said justice has prevailed and lifted a legal cloud over his seat. “I am pleased with the court’s decision,” he added.

With this acquittal, Quayson can continue serving as a legislator without hindrance. This ruling concludes a controversial legal saga that attracted public attention and debate.

It also sets a precedent for future cases involving dual citizenship for MPs. The decision emphasizes transparency and honesty in elections.