Policy analyst, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey has described as "senseless" President Mahama’s decision to free the Montie 3 who were sentenced to four months imprisonment for criminal contempt.
According to him, he was not surprised by the president's action since it was just a plot by the president and his ministers to undermine the judiciary.
“Why should Ghanaians be shocked that president Mahama has freed the Montie 3? They (Montie 3) said those things to ridicule the court on purpose and the ministers who also signed the petition forcing the president to release them was also done on purpose. It was a just a plot and so there is no way I will be surprised” he stated.
Following recommendations by the Council of State, His Excellency President John Mahama has, in accordance with 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 GHȻ10,000.00 each for contempt of court.
In a statement signed by Dr Omane Boamah, the President reminds all Ghanaians to “guard against the use of intemperate language which has the potential of causing unnecessary tension."
The three were sentenced on 27th July 2016 and have served less than a month of the sentence imposed on them. They have also paid the GHȻ10,000.00 (ten thousand Cedis) 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" the statement explained.
But Dr. Wereko Brobbey believes even though the president’s action was lawful, the decision was "senseless".
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