Mixed Reactions To Remission Of Montie Trio Sentence

President John Dramani Mahama has on the advice of the Council of State and in Exercise of his constitutional powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, remitted the remaining prison sentence imposed on  two social commentators, and a host of Montie FM, Accra based station, Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe), Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn. 

The Montie three were sentenced to four months imprisonment and a fine of ten thousand Ghana Cedis each for contempt of court.

There has been mixed reactions to the remission of the Montie Trio Sentence.

Convener of the Research and Advocacy Platform, Razak Abu has welcomed President Mahama's granting of remission of sentence of the Montie trio. 

He said one hundred and eighty- two thousand [182,000] signatures were collected to petition the President. 

Mr Razak said the four week imprisonment of the trio is deterrent enough.

Meanwhile, private legal practitioner, Lawyer Yaw Oppong said he is not surprised that the President has granted the Montie trio remission. 

Mr Oppong however predicts that a new twist to the case may crop up in the coming days. 

He explained that the remission of the three convicts only means a reduction in their term of imprisonment.

But critics say the President's granting of remission is a bad signal for the deepening and respect for Ghana's constitution and the rule of law. 

In the view of the PPP's Paa Kaw Ackon, the action is an abuse of the powers of the Presidency. 

Mr Ackon added that President Mahama's decision clearly depicts him as more partisan in nature than nationalistic. 

Assessing the political implications of the President's granting of remission, Governance Expert, Professor Emmanuel Osei Asiamah said the move could affect the fortunes of the NDC in the upcoming elections. 

But this will depend largely on how the Party handles issues arising from the President’s action. 

Professor Osei Asiamah said the fact that the three have served one month in prison is deterrent enough and a proof of the government’s respect for the judiciary. 

The New Patriotic Party, NPP has expressed disappointment in the President for granting remission for the Montie three. 

According to the party, these are individuals who were jailed legally by the courts to deal with recalcitrant behaviours and a creeping social canker that will devour this nation if not checked. 

In a statement signed by the Communications Director of the NPP, Nana Akomea said the NPP abhors what it terms, disrespect for authority and will not associate with this action taken by the president.  

The Party is also demanding that the president takes steps to reverse the decision reached as it stands to open the judiciary to attacks.
 
BACKGROUND 

President John Dramani Mahama has on the advice of the Council of State and in Exercise of his constitutional powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, remitted the remaining prison sentence imposed on two social commentators, and a host of Montie FM, Accra based station, Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe), Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn. 

The Montie three were sentenced to four months imprisonment and a fine of GH¢10,000.00 each for contempt of court. 

A statement signed by the Minister of Communications Dr. Edward Omane Boamah said the remission takes effect from Friday, 26th August. 

The three were sentenced on 27th July 2016 and have served part of the prison sentences imposed on them. 

They have also paid the ten thousand Ghana Cedis fine. The decision of the President to remit their sentences on compassionate grounds follows a petition submitted to him by the contemnors appealing that he exercises his prerogative of mercy even as they continue to express deep remorse and regret for the unacceptable statements they made against the Judiciary. 

The statement said the President used the opportunity to remind all Ghanaians of the need to respect institutions of State and exercise freedom of speech responsibly mindful of the need to preserve peace and national unity. 

He also urged all concerned especially people working in the media or appearing on any media platform 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 expressed the hope 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.

GBC