President Mahama frees Muntie Trio
President John Mahama has remitted the remaining prison sentence imposed on radio programme host Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe) and his two panelists, Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn who were sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and fined GH¢10,000.00 each for contempt of court.
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The remission is effective 26th August 2016, and was taken in consultation with the Council of State and in exercise of President Mahama's constitutional powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, according to a statement issued by Communications Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
The three were sentenced on 27th July, 2016 along with directors of Muntie FM, the platform on which the contempt was committed. The directors were not handed custodial sentence.
The Communication Minister’s statement said apart from the convicts having served part of the prison sentences imposed on them, they have also paid the GH¢10,000.00 (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.
“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 President reminds all concerned especially persons working in the media or appearing on its platforms 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 is hopeful 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.”
