Adansi-Asokwa MP, Kobina Tahir Hammond popularly known as K.T Hammond, has called the bluff of Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson for citing him for Contempt of Court.
Mr K.T Hammond says he predicated his comments on an earlier ruling of the court and compared the cases.
Nonetheless, the Trades and Industry Minister says he is not bothered about the Contempt of Court application filed by the MP’s lawyers.
The outspoken politician said he will meet them squarely in court to defend himself.
“I am not sure if those lawyers understand what precedence is, but I think I predicated my statement on the fact that there is what in legal terms called precedence, so we are meeting in court.”
“They played a game on me to serve me with the document, but I have accepted it,” he made this known in Parliament on Tuesday, July 11, when he addressed the media on the issue.
Meanwhile, he indicated that he made the comments in Parliament where he has immunity.
“I made a statement here in Parliament so if they want to take me up in court yes of course, at the end of the day that is where these matters end up. So what is the big deal about this” he asked.
Mr Quayson has filed the necessary processes at the High Court to get the court to punish K.T Hammond for making what he deemed as prejudicial comments in an ongoing case against him.
According to Mr Quayson’s lawyers, Mr Hammond in a media interview accused their client of being guilty of the case he’s standing trial for and stated that he will go to jail.
In the writ filed on Monday, July 10, the lawyers say the Trade Minister’s comments were “irresponsible prejudicial comments” concerning the criminal case ongoing against the Assin North MP.
“That in an interview on 4th July 2023 on a TV station, Oyerepa TV, the Respondent categorically pronounced the accused person guilty of the charges for which he is standing trial in this court, and the Respondent went ahead and stated that the Accused/Applicant will go to prison.”
“That by the words of the Respondent which have been widely publicized nationally and internationally, the Respondent is violating the right of the Accused/Applicant to be presumed innocent as well as the right of the accused to a fair trial.”
“That the said words of the Respondent are also in contempt of this Honourable Court as they are extremely prejudicial to the lawful process of this Honourable Court.”
The Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson is being tried for forgery and perjury after he was charged by the Attorney-General’s Office.
He is also accused of deceiving a public officer and knowingly making a false declaration when he filed nominations to contest in the 2020 election when he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship.
However, he has filed a motion on notice at the High Court for a stay of proceedings, pending an appeal.
But K.T Hammond is reported to have stated that his colleague lawmaker will be found guilty and jailed.
