President Akufo-Addo has denied claims of being behind the prosecution of embattled former Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

He says he has never interfered in the work of the judiciary throughout his stay in office as President.

Addressing supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Assin Breku in the Central Region ahead of Tuesday’s by-election, President Akufo-Addo insisted that Mr Quayson is being prosecuted because he found himself on the wrong side of the law.

He quizzed the difference between Mr. Quayson and the ex-Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Adam Sakande who was prosecuted and convicted for a similar offence.

President Akufo-Addo appealed to constituents of Assin North not to make a mistake by voting for someone who could end up in jail to derail development in the area.

A by-election in Assin North has become necessary after parliament wrote to the Electoral Commission declaring the seat vacant.

This followed a Supreme Court ruling that the Electoral Commission acted unconstitutionally in allowing Mr Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary election without proof of him renouncing his Canadian Citizenship.

The apex court in its ruling ordered parliament to expunge James Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records as a Member of Parliament. It further declared that his election was unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect. His swearing-in was equally declared to be unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, the NDC is backing Mr Quayson to stand again as their candidate in the by-election.

The NPP in Assin North also voted for Charles Opoku to lead them into the by-election.

The election is expected to come off on Tuesday, June 27.