Anyidoho sings praises to God over Montie 3 pardon

Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho could not hide his joy as he burst into singing praises to God over the decision by President John Mahama to grant pardon to the infamous Montie 3 contemnors.

A communication from the Flagstaff on Monday announced that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Ghana Prisons Service to free the Montie 3.

The trio, according to the communication, would be freed on Friday, August 26, 2016.

The President’s directive, it added, was based on the recommendation by the Council of State to remit the remaining prison sentence imposed on the trio; Salifu Maase, aka, Mugabe, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn.

The three were sentenced to four months imprisonment with a fine of GH?10,000.00 each for contempt of court, after they threatened the lives of the Supreme Court Judges.

A statement signed by Communications Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah said the three have served part of the prison sentences imposed on them and also paid GHC10,000.00 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 in part read.

In an interview with Kasapa News, Koku Anyidoho expressed gratitude to President Mahama for heeding the call of NDC supporters and ensuring the release of the trio.

He disagreed with suggestions that the pardon granted will undermine the authority of the Judiciary and further promote unsavoury language on the airwaves.

“We thank the President for his kind gesture which is backed by due process of the law. We’ve all learnt lessons from this case, moving forward everyone will be guided in the way he/she conducts him or herself in the media.”