Mahama not taking sides against Judiciary - Gov't

Europa

August 23, 2016 1:03 PM

The Progressive People’s Party had earlier indicated that President John Mahama has rendered the country’s judiciary ‘toothless’ and ‘ineffective’ following his decision to free the three persons.

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Government has said it is not taking sides against the judiciary following its decision to free the three Montie FM persons convicted for criminal contempt of the Supreme Court.

The president, late on Monday, August 22, 2016, freed the three men.

A statement signed by the Communications Minister Dr Omane Boamah said the decision was taken on the advice of the Council of State and was on compassionate grounds.

Some sections of the general public have criticised the president for his decision, saying it undermines the authority of the judiciary.

READ ALSO: Montie 3 Pardon

But the Deputy Communications Minister, Mr. Felix Ofosu Kwakye disagrees.

He argues that “it is not accurate that the president by this decision is undermining the authority of the judiciary or he is interfering in the dispensation of justice.”

"The Constitution in Article 72 allows the president to use a number of means that we prescribed in the constitution to give reprieve to persons who are convicted by the court. That action kicks in only after the court has finished its work. So there was not an interference in the work of the judiciary when they were carrying out that mandate,” the Deputy Communications minister explained on Accra-based Citi FM.

He further denied suggestions that most Ghanaians are against the decision taken by President John Dramani Mahama to pardon the Montie three.

The Montie three, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase alias ‘Mugabe’ were sentenced to four months in prison by the Supreme Court following contempt proceedings against them.

The contempt proceedings came after the three threatened the lives of Supreme Court judges who sat on the Abu Ramadan and Gary Nimako versus the Electoral Commission case.

A petition book was subsequently opened by pro-government group Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) to collect signatures of Ghanaians to implore the president to exercise his prerogative of mercy powers to free the three contemnors.

After spending 27 days in jail, the three can now heave a sigh of relief as they have been granted a pardon.

Europa

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