Chief of Staff presents ‘Montie 3’ petition to Council of State
The Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah has presented the petition calling for the intervention of the President in the case of the three persons, a radio host and his two guests who were jailed for contempt of court to the Council of State.
The petitioners are asking the President to use his prerogative of mercy to free the three.
He made the presentation on behalf of President John Mahama, a press release from the Office of the President, copied to ghanabusinessnews.com, has said.
According to the release, the petitions were received from lawyers of the jailed Montie Presenter, Salifu Maase, and his two guests, Ako Gunn and Alistair Nelson who have been jailed for four months by the Supreme Court.
A Civil Society Group, Research & Advocacy Platform joined the lawyers to submit the petition, it added.
The Chairperson of the Council, Madam Cecilia Johnson received the petition and indicated that it will be submitted to the Legal Committee of the Council for initial review before the Council meets to consider the issues.
Mr. Debrah was cited by the release saying the President is looking forward to the advice of the Council.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 sentenced the three to four months imprisonment each.
The radio panelists and host of a talk show ‘Pampaso’ on Accra based radio station Montie FM were also asked to pay a fine of GH¢10,000 each or in default serve another one month imprisonment.
The court also fined four directors, including Ato Ahwoi, Harry Zakour, Edward Addo and Kwesi Kyei Atuah the owners of Networking Broadcasting Company Limited and Zeze Media GH¢30,000 each.
They are to pay the fine by close of Thursday 28th July 2016.
The Court found the Respondents guilty for contempt as their actions has scandalised the court, defiled and lowered its authority and brought it into disrepute.
The two panelists, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn, threatened to “finish” the Supreme Court judges if they made any judgment against the Electoral Commission in a court case challenging the validity of the voters’ register, and the host of the programme, Salifu Maase also known as ‘Mugabe’ was alleged to have urged the panelist on in their attacks on the Justices.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi
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