[ 2016-07-27 ]

Montie FM case: Ato Ahwoi convicted
Former Presidential Advisor Mr. Ato Ahwoi, is the
latest casualty of the Montie FM contempt case,
having been found guilty of criminal contempt.

A Director of the Network Broadcasting Company,
operators of Montie FM, Mr. Ahwoi made his first
appearance in court Wednesday, July 27, 2016.

He was absent at the first two sittings. His
lawyer had explained that he was out of the
country after the presiding judge Sophia Akuffo
insisted that all Direcotrs of Montie FM appear in
court.

Ato Ahwoi in his plea Wednesday, told the court
he was liable with explanation. But after stating
that the NBC began in 1995 and operates Radio
Gold, Gold TV and Montie FM, the presiding judge
Sophia Akuffo asked him to cut to the chase.

He mentioned Kwami Sefa Kayi, Randy Abbey amongst
others as some of the celebrated journalists that
passed through Radio Gold.

Mr. Ahwoi related his own experience of having
been called gay on a radio station.

But Justice Akuffo, apparently not in the mood
for stories, insisted that he offers the
explanation.

At this point, Mr. Ahwoi told the court the host
of the radio show was interdicted and the
panelists were banned when the contemptuous
comments were made and the directors became aware
of it.

He said delayed broadcast equipment have been
procured and will be installed in three weeks'
time.

He apologised for the comments.

Justice Sophia Akuffo said Mr. Ato Ahwoi was
convicted "of all the charges just like the
others."

Two radio panellists - Alistair Nelson and Godwin
Ako Gunn - and host a radio programme, Salifu
Maase, alias Mugabe, were summoned by the Supreme
Court after they threatened justices of the
Supreme Court with death.

The Court was hearing a case brought by two
politicians - Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako -
challenging the validity of the voters' register.

The radio commentators were not happy with
comments made by some justices sitting on the
case.

They threatened to deal with the judges whom they
accused of wanting to create chaos in the
country.

The comments erred them summons from the Supreme
Court. Mr. Ato Ahwoi, a director of the company
was out of the jurisdiction when the case was
first called.

In Court Wednesday, he pleaded liable with
explanation. He condemned the comments of the two
panelists and told the Court that the company had
interdicted Salifu Maase and banned Alistair and
Ako Gunn as well as procured delayed broadcast
equipment to check excesses in the future. The
Court didn't find these to be enough.

It sentenced Salifu Maase, Ako Gunn and Alistair
Nelson to four months' imprisonment with a fine of
10,000 cedis each.

A Director of the company and stalwart of the
governing National Democratic Congress (NDC),
Harry Zakour, is to pay a fine of 30,000 cedis to
be paid latest by Thursday, July 28, 1016.

The Network Broadcasting Company has been ordered
to bring to court, policies and framework that
show that all of its stations will no longer be
used to make contemptuous comments.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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