Quayson contempt suit: I don’t run from responsibility; what’s the big deal – K.T. Hammond

Trade and Industry Minister K.T. Hammond has said, in response to a contempt suit filed against him by fellow MP James Gyakye Quayson, that: “I don’t run away from my responsibility”.

He told journalists in parliament: “I made a statement here in parliament; if they want to take me up in court, yes, of course, at the end of the day, that’s where these matters end up, so, what’s the big deal?”

Mr Hammond was widely quoted by the media last week to have said in an interview that Mr. Quayson would be jailed at the end of his ongoing perjury trial.

The opposition lawmaker is being prosecuted for lying about his dual citizenship ahead of the 2020 general elections through which he won the Assin North seat for the first time.

The Supreme Court annulled his victory on grounds that he still held a Canadian citizenship as of the time he was first filing to run for office.

A by-election was subsequently held, which he won.

He is, however, still being prosecuted for his earlier sin.

Mr Hammond, while commenting on the matter, made reference to court precedence in which late MP Adamu Sakande was jailed for holding multiple citizenship.

Mr Quayson’s lawyers argue that the comments by Mr Hammond are prejudicial and likely to bring the ongoing judicial processes into disrepute.

“That by the words of the Respondent which have been widely publicised 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 writ said.

The lawyers added that “such prejudice undermines the lawful judicial process and may even bring the said judicial process into disrepute as it will create in the minds of members of the public that no other conclusion other than that pronounced by the Respondent can occur. That the Respondent is brazenly usurping the function of Her Ladyship, the trial judge, in this court.”