George Lawson, the acting General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that President remitted the Montie trio on the “recommendation of the Council of State.”
Speaking on Radio Univers’ current affairs program Behind The Headlines, Mr. Lawson further noted that “once the council recommended the pardon of the contemnors, the president’s move to set them free is in accordance with Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution.”
Mr. Lawson however noted that the President and the NDC does not condone the intemperate behavior of the trio which earned them a four-month stay behind bars at Nsawam prison,” but they have shown remorse, based on that we thought they deserve a pardon.”
Below is the statement remitting the three contemnors:
Full statement
PRESIDENT GRANTS REMISSION OF SENTENCE TO THREEE CONTEMNORS
The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has, in consultation with the Council of State and in exercise of his constitutional powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, remitted the remaining prison sentence imposed on three persons: Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe), Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn who were sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and a fine of GHȻ10,000.00 each for contempt of court. The remission is effective 26th August 2016
The three were sentenced on 27th July 2016 and have served part of the prison sentences imposed on them. They have also paid the GHȻ10,000.00 (ten thousand Cedis) fines.
The decision of His Excellency the President to remit their sentences on compassionate grounds follows a petition submitted to him by the contemnors appealing to the President to exercise his prerogative of mercy even as they continue to express deep remorse and regret for the unacceptable statements they made against the Judiciary.
His Excellency, President Mahama takes this opportunity to remind all Ghanaians of the need to respect the institutions of State and exercise freedom of speech responsibly mindful of the need to preserve peace and national unity.
The President reminds all concerned especially persons working in the media or appearing on its platforms to be circumspect and guard against the use of intemperate language which has the potential of causing unnecessary tension especially in this election year.
The President is hopeful that all will draw lessons from the events leading to the conviction of the three persons and bear in mind the consequences of injudicious utterances.
Signed:
EDWARD K. OMANE BOAMAH (DR.)
(Minister)
Background
During ‘Pampaso’ a current affairs program on Accra-based, Montie FM, the host, Salifu Maase alias Mugabe, together with panelists Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn lashed out at Supreme Court and High Court judges, even threatening to eliminate them.
The distasteful comments from the trio triggered nationwide anger and many individuals, organisations and associations pushed for their arrest, trial and conviction.
Evidently, the trio had bitten more than they could chew and after a ‘hide and seek’ with the court, on July 27, 2016, Mugabe and his squad were sentenced to 4 months in jail at the Nsawam prison for contempt and a Ghc10,000 fine each.
Their misconduct even earned the four directors of Network Broadcasting Limited, owners of Montie FM; Ato Ahwoi, Edward Addo, Kwesi Kyei Atuah, and Kwesi Bram Addo, a Ghc30,000 fine.
Mr. Harry Zakuor, owner of Zeze media, who owns Montie FM frequency, 100.1, was also separately fined Ghc30,000.
Sorry Is Enough?
According to George Lawson, executives of the governing party, NDC decided that because the trio were ‘Sorry’, they deserved remission despite their obvious despicable behavior which according to many, should have earned them more than the served 4 months jail sentence.
Indeed the President has the mandate the remit persons depending on certain variables but in this instance, public outcry suggests that this a wrong move that will forever taint Ghana’s political history.
By setting the Montie trio free, what kind of legacy is being built besides belittling the powers of the Supreme Court?
By: Marie-Franz Fordjoe/Radio Univers 105.7FM
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