[ 2016-08-26 ]

Montie 3 out! Hold rally to celebrate freedom
The three persons who were jailed for four months
following death threats on judges have walked out
of jail into the arms teaming crowds of NDC
supporters.

The three, Safifu Maase, the host, Alistair Nelson
and Godwin Ako Gunn were released after President
John Mahama granted a remission of their
sentences.

The three, accompanied by their lawyers were at
the premises of Radio Gold – the station which
spearheaded a petition for their release.

Counsel for the three, George Loh said although
they are excited about the release, issues that
led to their conviction should not be taken for
granted.

He said managers of the radio station – Montie
FM on which the contemptuous comments were made
– will ensure strict adherence to rules from now
on.

“The release does not mean we will continue to
tolerate the use of improper language on the
station. Lessons have been learnt,” he
stressed.

At the rally, three were doused with white powder
to celebrate their release.

In a speech read after their release, host of the
show Salifu Maase apologised again to the Chief
Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood and the entire
judiciary for the comments.

They thanked President John Mahama for their
release and said they have learnt their lessons
and will from now on advice panels on the show to
be guided by their experience.

Background

The three had threatened to rape the Chief Justice
Georgina Theodora Wood and kill other judges who
sat on a case brought against the Electoral
Commission.

But presiding over the case, the three said the
judges wanted to foment trouble in the country and
that if the 2016 elections turned violent they
knew the homes of judges and finish them.

Their comments were roundly condemned by all and
were later hauled before the judges to answer why
they should not be held liable for contempt.

The three, together with the Directors of the
radio station and the owner pleaded guilty to the
charges of contempt and were duly sentenced on
July 27, 2016.

Apart from the four-month jail term, the three
were each slapped with Ȼ10,000 fine. Three of
the Directors also had to pay Ȼ10,000 each
whilst the owner was slapped with Ȼ30,000.

Petition

Shortly after they were sentenced there was a
groundswell of petitions, mostly from party
supporters, ministers of state and the contemnors
themselves begging for pardon.

One of the lawyers for the contemnors, George Loh
said the sentence was harsh and pleaded with the
president to activate his powers of mercy under
Article 72 of the Constitution.

The petitions were signed in haste and presented
to the president, who in an unusual fashion,
announced a handing over ceremony of the petition
to the Council of State for advice.

Just days after the petitions were handed to the
Cecilia Johnson led Council of State, a decision
has been taken; an advice has been given to the
president and the contemnors are to be set free.

The statement from the presidency read:

"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 ¢10,000.00 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 Ȼ10,000.00
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
statement said

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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