[ 2016-07-27 ]

Alistair Nelson (top left), Godwin Ako Gunn (R) and Salifu Masse (bottom left)

Montie panellists, host jailed four months
The Supreme Court (SC) has sentenced a radio host
and two panellists of Montie FM to four months
incarceration and fined each GHC1000 for contempt
of court.

The panellists, Godwin Ako Gunn and Alistair
Nelson, show host, Salifu Masse and owners of the
radio station were found guilty of contempt
charges following threats by the panellists to
kill the Judges.

The Supreme Court sentenced the three on
Wednesday, July 27 as the three reappeared, having
been found guilty of scandalising the court and
bringing it into disrepute.

The owner of the station, Mr Harry Zakkour, also
got a GHC30000 fine to be paid by close of day
tomorrow.

Presiding judge Sophia Akuffo said guests were in
the studio to attack with such recklessness.

She said the directors were irresponsible and
careless because they were to direct the broad
vision of the station.

The panelists, on a discussion programme on the
station, threatened to kill judges, with specific
reference to Justice Sulemana Gbadegbe and Chief
Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.

Background

The two Justices who were specifically mentioned
in the contemptuous comments recused themselves
from the case on Tuesday, July 12, the first day
they appeared before the court.

They were replaced by Justice Sophia Akuffo and
Justice Julius Ansah.

All owners of the radio station were summoned by
the court as only one shareholder, Edward Addo
showed up in the court on the first day.

The court did not understand why the other
directors and owners of the radio station were not
in court.

It rejected a claim by Nana Ato Dadzie that the
rest of the owners of the radio station are out of
the jurisdiction and demanded that the entire
owners of Montie FM should have been in court
since it is a corporate body.

The court presided over by Justice Akuffo
adjourned hearing to Monday, July 18, 2016, after
the contemnors complained they didn't receive the
summons in good time.

July 18 hearing

On July 18, other owners, Kwesi Atuah and Harry
Zakuor joined Edward Addo, the panellists, and the
presenter in the court.

Presiding Judge, Sophia Akuffo ordered that the
contemptuous tape is played amidst pleas from the
counsel of the contemnors.

The two panellists, Alistair Nelson and Godwin
Ako Gunn after listening to the tape said they
were liable with much regret.

Also, Godwin Tamakloe has apologised specifically
to two of the Justices – Justice Sule Gbadegbe
and Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood – who
were specifically mentioned in the threatening
comments.

Mugabe said and the directors of the company said
they were liable with explanations

Edward Addo indicated the utterances were
despicable and ordered an apology to be issued
when he heard it.

He added that the perpetrators had been punished
and steps had been taken by the management of the
station to ensure that comments like that are not
repeated.

Another owner, Kwesi Kyei Atuah said he would
make sure the incident is not repeated in future
but added he appointed management 'with the hope
that they would stop things like this.'

Harry Zakour, owner of the frequency apologised
and said the incident will not be repeated.

One of the panellists, Alistair Nelson told the
court he suffered a condition, "kpokpo gbligbli"
which forced him to make the contemptuous
comments. The apex court convicted them but
counsel for the contemnors pleaded with the court
to temper justice with mercy.

They were asked to re-appear before the court on
July 27, 2016, for sentencing. Meanwhile, the
police had to escort some people believed to be
supporters of the National Democratic Congress out
of the court premises.

Ahead of July 27 hearing

One of their lawyers, Godwin Tamakloe publicly
retracted the offensive statements made by his
clients against the Justices.

The contemnors face a possible jail term or fine,
although some legal experts have predicted the
panelists especially are very likely to go to
jail.

Source - GhanaWeb

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