The Judge overseeing the trial of the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson has issued a warning, stating that if his lawyers are absent on Monday,July, 31, he will be required to proceed with and conclude the cross-examination of the prosecution's first witness, Richard Takyi-Mensah.

This decision comes after the court denied a request from the accused's lawyers to postpone the case until October or November.

On the scheduled Friday session, the accused's lawyers were absent, as the lead counsel, Justin Teriwajah, informed the court of a three-day medical excuse provided by his doctor.

Teriwajah requested that the Friday session be adjourned to a date after the legal break, which ends in the first week of October.

He explained that Gyakye Quayson would be unavailable during the break due to medical treatment outside the jurisdiction, and Tsatsu Tsikata would also be unavailable within the same period.

“This case started in January 2022. PW1 gave evidence on July 12, 2022. It’s been one year, 16 days since PW1 mounted the witness box. In view of this, I like to pray that this matter is adjourned to Monday subject to my lady’s convenience to have cross-examination of PW1 completed,” Mr. Tuah Yeboah urged the court.

Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, expressed sympathy for Teriwajah's medical condition but opposed scheduling the return date after the legal break, citing fairness to the prosecution.

He pointed out that the witness had given his evidence on July 12, 2022, and more than a year had passed without completing the accused's cross-examination.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to Monday, July 31, in order to complete the cross-examination.

If Monday is not convenient, Tuah Yeboah further requested that a date within the legal break be set to ensure the completion of Richard Takyi Mensah's cross-examination.

Regarding Gyakye Quayson's absence from the jurisdiction, Tuah Yeboah suggested that he could participate in the proceedings virtually if he is out of the country.

The request from Teriwajah to adjourn the case to a date after the legal break also mentioned Tsatsu Tsikata's unavailability, but the Deputy Attorney General considered this irrelevant since Tsikata was not counsel on the matter but rather holding brief for Teriwajah.

Gyakye Quayson personally appealed to the court to grant his lawyers' request to allow him to attend to his medical needs.

However, Judge Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh declined the request and adjourned the case to Monday, July 31, with a warning that if the accused's lawyers are unavailable on that day, the Assin North Member of Parliament will be required to continue the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.