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On Thursday evening, Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson stormed Parliament to participate in the business of the House despite a court ruling that declared his seat vacant.
Mr Quayson attended the Parliamentary Privileges Committee meeting to deliberate on the contempt proceedings against Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong.
Joy News sources at the closed-door meeting said New Patriotic Party MPs on the committee objected to his participation, insisting that a court had declared him ineligible to run as an MP. .
But the deputies of the Democratic National Congress insisted that he could continue to present himself as such.
Asked about the developments during the committee session, the chairman of the parliamentary privileges committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, said that if there were any problems, court proceedings could be used to determine them.
“This is a privileges committee. The honorable member of the committee (James Gyakye Quayson) is not before the committee on any matter of contempt referred to us. Either way, he’s here as a member of Parliament.
“If there are any issues with this, I’m sure court processes will be used to determine this… So I encourage you to speak to him after speaking to us,” Mr. Osei Owusu told Joy News Joseph Opoku Gakpo .
Mr Quayson then told Opoku Gakpo in an interview that he was still a member of parliament. “I have always said that I respect law and order… I am still an MP based on the rules I have entered into and also based on legal procedures and advice.
“The commission is also an extension of parliament. So I find it a bit ridiculous for anyone to say that I will not be able to sit on the committee, ”he said.
The Cape Coast High Court ruled late last month that Mr Quayson had dual citizenship when he filed his papers to challenge the seat in violation of the constitution. He appealed the decision and requested a stay of execution.
He told Joy News: “The court directive is there, but there is also a process that you follow after such statements and decisions, and I have met all the requirements. I won’t go into detail on this. But, based on the processes I have initiated, it gives me the opportunity to remain a Member of Parliament for Assin North. “
“And besides, any committee I belong to in parliament which is also an extension of parliament also binds my membership, which is why I was at the meeting,” Quayson added.
When asked for the rationale for running as an MP despite the court ruling, he said, “There is a new law in effect that says once you file these processes it is binding on you. automatically in a position where it’s almost like it’s heard…. “
He urges the people of Assin North to continue supporting him. “All I’m telling my people is that they need to stay strong and keep the support they’ve given me. And like I always said, I would never disappoint them. I came on purpose to raise a very neglected community, and that’s what I’m here for, ”Quayson said.
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