Dr Henry Lartey hails Mahama on Montie trio release

The Leader and Flagbearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Dr Henry Herbet Lartey has commended president Mahama for releasing the montie trio, describing it as a sign of “victory”for the constitution.

President John Mahama, upon a Council of State recommendation, on Monday granted remission to three-Mugabe Mase, who were sentenced to 4 month in Prison for threatening the life of the chief Justice.

Following the remission, legal and governance experts have been divided about the legality of the President’s capacity to exercise his prerogative of mercy under Article 72 of the Constitution

However, speaking to ghanauardian.com, Dr Henry Lartey said the president has done nothing wrong by reducing the four-month prison sentence to one.

“The president was correct to accept the pardon on compassionate grounds, using article 7(1d) of the 1992 constitution”, he said.

“It is a constitutional requirement for the separation of powers to work and it is a victory for the constitution”.

Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maasewere jailed on July 27 by the Supreme Court after they had threatened to kill and rape judges during a political talk show on pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC), local language radio station Montie FM.

A ‘free Montie three’ petition was launched and signed by some Ministers of State and stalwarts of the governing NDC to compel the President to exercise his discretionary powers under Article 72 of the constitution in releasing the three and their request was granted.

Early Friday morning, hundreds of supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) thronged the Radio Gold office at Accra suburb of Laterbiokorshie to celebrate the release of the triad.

“The constitution drafters in their own wisdom created the provision for the President, envisaging somebody may be improperly convicted”, Henry Lartey said.