Supreme Court sentence on contempt is arbitrary - Former AG clarifies

Read Comments Comments (27)

• Joe Black 12 years ago

  Can we charge AYIKOE OTOO FOR CONTEMPT

  Can we charge AYIKOE OTOO FOR CONTEMPT

  reply
• OLD SOLDIER 12 years ago

  The NDC would have to explain to Ghanaians how a dead man came to author and sign a letter!
  
  The opening paragraph states, “I came to serve; I have finished my time here on earth and have moved on to everlasting rest an ...
  read full comment

  The NDC would have to explain to Ghanaians how a dead man came to author and sign a letter!
  
  The opening paragraph states, “I came to serve; I have finished my time here on earth and have moved on to everlasting rest and celestial duties with my heavenly father.”
  
  The immediate question is; how did the dead man come to sign his own personal tribute, since he is already in heaven?
  
  The letter then goes on melodramatically, “As you leaf through these pages of my life’s story, I pray to God that it touches your heart in many positive ways. Weep not, I am not dead. I am alive and awake in the Lord. Ghana will not die; Ghana will live to declare the works of the Lord. As I rest in perfect peace in the celestial realms with my maker, I pledge to always uphold and defend the good name of Ghana. Remember the Lord in all your ways and He will protect you. Stay well my brothers and sisters, I will always be with you. Signed (with actual signature) John Evans Atta Mills...

  reply
• TerriblY Spe cifiC 12 years ago

  This law has been.in existence for ages. People must be civil. Just becos you have lost an election does not give you the right to fool like a he goat.

  This law has been.in existence for ages. People must be civil. Just becos you have lost an election does not give you the right to fool like a he goat.

  reply
• OSEI TAWIAH 12 years ago

  According to you idiots, did Stephen Atubiga and Kwaku Boahen lose the elections? How about your foolish President who is bleeting like a sheep all the time?

  According to you idiots, did Stephen Atubiga and Kwaku Boahen lose the elections? How about your foolish President who is bleeting like a sheep all the time?

  reply
• TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN 12 years ago

  DID the NPP think all Ghanaians liked the party? No! In fact most didn't . That is why they voted them out! What is strange about that? I could tell from day one from the people I talked to that the NPP was going to loos in ...
  read full comment

  DID the NPP think all Ghanaians liked the party? No! In fact most didn't . That is why they voted them out! What is strange about that? I could tell from day one from the people I talked to that the NPP was going to loos in 2012.. It begins to seem like that again to me! These guys are just wasting time litigating? Is Nana going to be your nominee? So what are you doing? The guy is just drugging your party to the drengdes. Wake up. Nana Addo lost the election without a doubt!

  reply
• OLD SOLDIER 12 years ago

  AUTHOR: MARTIN A.B.K. AMIDU....
  
  It would appear that those in control of the NDC, for the time being, were bent on excluding other bona fide members of the Party who may wish to lay democratic claims to who becomes the ne ...
  read full comment

  AUTHOR: MARTIN A.B.K. AMIDU....
  
  It would appear that those in control of the NDC, for the time being, were bent on excluding other bona fide members of the Party who may wish to lay democratic claims to who becomes the next flag bearer of the Party by excluding them even before the mortal remains of the demised President were interred. It is also symptomatic of how political party elites in Ghana and Africa worm their way into the confidences of persons perceived as likely to ascend to power positions for purposes of eventual personal economic gain at the expense of the generality of the mass of Party members and the Nation which every President swears to serve under the Constitution...

  reply
• PRINCE KWASI ADADE 12 years ago

  WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIFE OF ST. MARTIN AMIDU. IT COULD BE RECALLED THAT, EVIL CORRUPT NDC BASTARDS SACKED ST. MARTIN FOR DEFENDING THE POOR PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. TO BE PRECISE, FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN EVIL NDC GOVERNMEN ...
  read full comment

  WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIFE OF ST. MARTIN AMIDU. IT COULD BE RECALLED THAT, EVIL CORRUPT NDC BASTARDS SACKED ST. MARTIN FOR DEFENDING THE POOR PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. TO BE PRECISE, FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN EVIL NDC GOVERNMENT. THE NDC MAN (ATTA MILLS) WHO SACKED HIM , WAS THE SAME MAN WHO ONCE SAID "GHANA WILL BE LIKE KENYA" THIS SO CALLED ASOMDWE HENE IS NOW BURRIED AT A PLACE CALLED ASOMDWE PARK. VERY RIDICULOUS!!! LOOK AROUND AND YOU CAN EASILY FEEL, SMELL AND SEE IT. THIS IS NOT THE GHANA KUFFOUR HANDED OVER TO THESE NDC CORRUPT BASTARDS, AS THEY ARE AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN BY THEIR EQUALLY CORRUPT FOUNDER. KUFFOUR IS INDUBITABLY THE BEST PRESIDENT EVER IN OUR HISTORY!!!!-----FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, WHO CAN PROVE KWASI ADADE WRONG?? NDC IS THE WORST THING EVER TO HAVE HAPPENED TO GHANA.

  reply
• Dr. E M Akita 12 years ago

  Former AG, I think you are right. Host's of programs should stop the tagging. It would do us a lot of good. This nation is moving directly into a ditch. Let reason up.

  Former AG, I think you are right. Host's of programs should stop the tagging. It would do us a lot of good. This nation is moving directly into a ditch. Let reason up.

  reply
• Kantanka HH 12 years ago

  Doc, we have already come into a ditch. We are now in hectic trying to retrieve what is retrievable but no avail. Bringing everything back onto track needs a combined effort of all in enorm magnitude. Divided efforts bring ...
  read full comment

  Doc, we have already come into a ditch. We are now in hectic trying to retrieve what is retrievable but no avail. Bringing everything back onto track needs a combined effort of all in enorm magnitude. Divided efforts bring us into different compartments of selfishness and greed causing the fight for power. The end of our cherished democratic process is not far.

  reply
• SIMPLY RUTHLESS 12 years ago

  Trained-on-the-job presenters are the problem bcos they lack the knowledge and experience to control the discussants when they are saying stupid things secondly they invite politically immatured people to come on their shows ...
  read full comment

  Trained-on-the-job presenters are the problem bcos they lack the knowledge and experience to control the discussants when they are saying stupid things secondly they invite politically immatured people to come on their shows and here comes the need to look at that side very well therefore i agree with the former A-G.

  reply
• Homesense 12 years ago

  "He blamed hosts and producers of radio and television programmes, charging them to stop tagging discussants as NPP and NDC.
  
  The former Attorney General said discussants should be invited based on their competence and refe ...
  read full comment

  "He blamed hosts and producers of radio and television programmes, charging them to stop tagging discussants as NPP and NDC.
  
  The former Attorney General said discussants should be invited based on their competence and referred to as such".
  
  Some of us have been of this view all the time. Why should radio and TV discussions be always battles among political parties, especially between the NDC and NPP? Perhaps the aim would be to get alternative views from political parties who aspire to lead the country, one may arque. But it has been evidently clear by what we see and hear from these politicians that many of them have no educated ideas about issues under discussions. In the process, they have turned discussions into political debates where even the most obvious answer to an issue has had to be contradicted at all ocst by one or others from the other party (ies). This fomat of discussions has contributed in no small measure to divide the citizens among political party lines.
  
  Radio and TV houses must therefore re-examine this format and listen to what Mr Ayikoi-Otoo has said here and invite experts on various topics to discuss issues. The experts are in the position to properly educate listeners and viewers on the topics to enable them (the listerners and viwers) to make educated decisions. This will go a long way to help develop the country.

  reply
• Huhuhuhu_Ny3hu 12 years ago

  And ask questions that are intended to elicit divergent and controvertsial responses from panelists/commentators whoare known to hold 'entrenched' posiitions, which give rise to the heckling, insults and the acrimony we ofte ...
  read full comment

  And ask questions that are intended to elicit divergent and controvertsial responses from panelists/commentators whoare known to hold 'entrenched' posiitions, which give rise to the heckling, insults and the acrimony we often hear about on Radio and TV.
  PeaceFM`s Kokrokoo morning show deliberately matches veteran Journalist Kwesi Pratt with that 'troubesome' but not well-informed NPP deputy communications director,Sammy Awuku;aand ninety percent of the time,you `ll find Awuku opposing and or heckling and rudely interrupting whatever Pratt has to say. Similarly,you had the Wenesday match up pitching the shrill voice of Kwamena Duncan against the old wily NDC operative,in the person of Allotey Jacobs. Of course in the mix you`ll also find Abdul Malik Kweku Baaako,the unofficial NPP spokesperson and apologist, teaming up with Duncan to 'dump' on the NDC.
  Baako who usually is giving all the latitude he desires makes it impossible for others to make their case. Hand-picked serial-callers or 'gifted' lawyers with known political leanings,are allowed to make 'inputs' that which give the programme a definite political twist, all under the guise of giving viewres a balanced presentation. How many times has Adom News not called Sammy Awuku, Tony Karbo,Hopeson Adorye to put them against the likes of Anita Dessoso, Solomon Nkansah or Alhaji Haruna to offer opinions about controversial issues,they know very little about? The expected 'fireworks' occur and these media oulets now havefuture lead stories they can use later on.
  the situation more akin to staged cock- fights were trained fowls are let loose to go after each other!

  reply
• KOBB 12 years ago

  I really don't get this contempt thing, Contempt issue by the court should be directed to those in the court room or been attending the court proceedings. You can't cite any voice of decent from the street for blowing hot air ...
  read full comment

  I really don't get this contempt thing, Contempt issue by the court should be directed to those in the court room or been attending the court proceedings. You can't cite any voice of decent from the street for blowing hot air based on what he or she deemed is right

  reply
• OSEI TAWIAH 12 years ago

  These NDC morons and their Supreme Court don't know anything about criminal offences. They charged Amina with fear and panic, Ken Agyapong with treason and Samuel Awuku with contempt. Idiots charging anyhow as if they are bli ...
  read full comment

  These NDC morons and their Supreme Court don't know anything about criminal offences. They charged Amina with fear and panic, Ken Agyapong with treason and Samuel Awuku with contempt. Idiots charging anyhow as if they are blind, what happened to their own law books they created? No wonder they always fail in court.

  reply
• Kofi Wayo 12 years ago

  You are a big fool, and that is what u are. Primitive human being who thinks he's smart. The Supreme court is sitting on an ELECTION PETITION CASE, which may forment nationwide trouble. Doesnt it make sense to your retarded b ...
  read full comment

  You are a big fool, and that is what u are. Primitive human being who thinks he's smart. The Supreme court is sitting on an ELECTION PETITION CASE, which may forment nationwide trouble. Doesnt it make sense to your retarded brains that as the highest authority of the land, peoples statements in the
  
  
  MEDIA, which could cause irreparable trouble and bring the whole election petition to nuts should be guarded against? Mass incitement on the media will be curbed, whether u like it or not. FOR U AND YOUR COHORTS WHO LOST THE ELECTIONS, ALL YOU DREAM ABOUT IS FOR WAR AND TROUBLE TO OCCUR SO YOUR FAILED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE, ALBEIT UNDEMOCRATIC. Shame on you and the bastards from your 2 envious, tribalistic regions.

  reply
• OBURONIBA FITAFITA 12 years ago

  The entire country is intellectually defficient. With the exception of Professor Asare who touched upon the arbitrary nature of the issuance of blanket directive from a branch of government which would limit free expression o ...
  read full comment

  The entire country is intellectually defficient. With the exception of Professor Asare who touched upon the arbitrary nature of the issuance of blanket directive from a branch of government which would limit free expression of speech even where such expression is conducted outside the confines of the court and is considered radical and at variance with orders of subservience that the court's leaders enjoy under their wigs , it is hard to understand the Ghanaian intellectual tolerance.
  
  First it is unconstitutional - period.
  Then it defies common sense that some Atuguba bailiff would conduct a search hunt for a Duayawnkwanta palm wine gathering commentator whose utterances are not deemed obsequious.
  
  Ghana today is ruled by the constitution not by judicial edicts. And thoSe who swear to protect and defend the constitution must not trample over it.
  
  This type of jackbooted orders served damaging purposes in totalitarian regimes to promote intimidation backed by a draw of the gun and subservience. We have outlived those periods of intimidation.
  
  The beginning of failure is excessive display of power to cower the masses under fear.
  
  Take a page from the leaflets of history - The Preventive Detention Act.

  reply
• KING 12 years ago

  HON AYIKOI OTOO IS LEARNED INDEED, BECAUSE IN LAW YOU CANT EXCUSED YOURSELF OF IGNORANT, IF YOU DONT KNOW YOU SHOULD ASK.

  HON AYIKOI OTOO IS LEARNED INDEED, BECAUSE IN LAW YOU CANT EXCUSED YOURSELF OF IGNORANT, IF YOU DONT KNOW YOU SHOULD ASK.

  reply
• EFO KOKU 12 years ago

  Seems this case will end in 2016. The SC judges should stop this contempt nonsense and focus on the case. To me they are just dragging this case just to enjoy their sitting allowances. Thus Ghana for u.

  Seems this case will end in 2016. The SC judges should stop this contempt nonsense and focus on the case. To me they are just dragging this case just to enjoy their sitting allowances. Thus Ghana for u.

  reply
• DANIEL OSAFO- SWITZERLAND 12 years ago

  THE CULTURE OF DESCIPLINE HAS ENTIRELY LOST IN THE SOCIETY OF GHANA A COUNTRY WHICH WAS ONCE LOVILY TO VISIT. WHY,IS IT BECAUSE OF DEMOCRACY OR FREEDOM OF SPEECH WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE? OH,NO GHANAIANS NEEDS MORE TIM ...
  read full comment

  THE CULTURE OF DESCIPLINE HAS ENTIRELY LOST IN THE SOCIETY OF GHANA A COUNTRY WHICH WAS ONCE LOVILY TO VISIT. WHY,IS IT BECAUSE OF DEMOCRACY OR FREEDOM OF SPEECH WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE? OH,NO GHANAIANS NEEDS MORE TIME TO LEARN WHAT DEMOCRACY IS MEANT FOR. THE SUPREME COURT IDEA TO IMPOSE SOME STRICT MEASURES IN RECENT COURT CASE IS GOOD TO ALL GHANAIANS OTHERWISE PEOPLE WILL SOON BEHAVES LIKE WILD-DOGS.

  reply
• Frimpong, USA 12 years ago

  People like Sir John, Awuku and those loud mouthed NPP looser should be reeducated about Democracy and freedom of speech. It seems to me they either don't understand what it is or don't know the difference. Freedom of speech ...
  read full comment

  People like Sir John, Awuku and those loud mouthed NPP looser should be reeducated about Democracy and freedom of speech. It seems to me they either don't understand what it is or don't know the difference. Freedom of speech has it's limit.

  reply
• Kojo Frimpong 12 years ago

  Last Saturday's "Headlines" was just perfect for the viewer and credit should also be given to the HOST who decided to let the programme flow when the former AG was educating the nation.
  
  What happened is what we want to se ...
  read full comment

  Last Saturday's "Headlines" was just perfect for the viewer and credit should also be given to the HOST who decided to let the programme flow when the former AG was educating the nation.
  
  What happened is what we want to see these programmes adopt and let me take this moment to congratulate the host, Dr Ampaw who is a lawyer, Mr Otoo former AG and Chairman Horace Ankrah.
  
  That was a great service Mr Otoo!!!!
  
  This is what the President was calling for when he referred to some programmes as "lazy journalism".
  
  Bring on the right people to talk on issues to help Ghana grow.

  reply
• ODONTI 12 years ago

  LOOK AT YOUR FACE ON THIS WEB,PAGE. STUPIDITY IS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE. HOW ON EARTH DID LIZARDS LIKE YOU HOLD OFFICE IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS. YOU DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING AND INSTEAD OF HIDING YOUR FACE YOU BOLDLY WRITE NON ...
  read full comment

  LOOK AT YOUR FACE ON THIS WEB,PAGE. STUPIDITY IS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE. HOW ON EARTH DID LIZARDS LIKE YOU HOLD OFFICE IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS. YOU DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING AND INSTEAD OF HIDING YOUR FACE YOU BOLDLY WRITE NONSENSE TO CONFUSE THE MILLIONS,OF ILLITERATES IN THIS COUNTRY. I HOPE YOU DONT CROSS THE TOUCH LINE. YOU WILL GO AMD SPEAK YOUR TWI ENGLISH IN COURT.

  reply
• GREAT NANA ANTWI 12 years ago

  ARE YOU IN NEED OF A FAST POWERFULL SPIRITUALIST?THEN GOOGLE OR GO TO www greatnanapowerfullspiritualist.blogspot com

  ARE YOU IN NEED OF A FAST POWERFULL SPIRITUALIST?THEN GOOGLE OR GO TO www greatnanapowerfullspiritualist.blogspot com

  reply
• Kofi Wayo 12 years ago

  You are a big fool, and that is what u are. Primitive human being who thinks he's smart. The Supreme court is sitting on an ELECTION PETITION CASE, which may foment nationwide trouble. Doesn't it make sense to your retarded b ...
  read full comment

  You are a big fool, and that is what u are. Primitive human being who thinks he's smart. The Supreme court is sitting on an ELECTION PETITION CASE, which may foment nationwide trouble. Doesn't it make sense to your retarded brains that as the highest authority of the land, peoples statements in the MEDIA, which could cause irreparable trouble and bring the whole election petition to nuts should be guarded against?
  
  Mass incitement on the media will be curbed, whether u like it or not. FOR U AND YOUR COHORTS WHO LOST THE ELECTIONS, ALL YOU DREAM ABOUT IS FOR WAR AND TROUBLE TO OCCUR SO YOUR FAILED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE, ALBEIT UNDEMOCRATIC. Shame on you and the bastards from your 2 envious, tribalistic regions.

  reply
• appiah 12 years ago

  The Judges are more at a loss with what to do than the good people of Ghana. And that is why we think they have to be careful with any capricious use of power before they sink the Supreme Court into disrepute. We live in a so ...
  read full comment

  The Judges are more at a loss with what to do than the good people of Ghana. And that is why we think they have to be careful with any capricious use of power before they sink the Supreme Court into disrepute. We live in a society where the police is known to be irredeemable corrupt; our politicians are all money-hungry and shamelessly greedy. The SC is the only institution with some amount of credibility left in the nation and it would be sad if that is squandered on arrogance and pride.

  reply
• KOOKZI 12 years ago

  I WOULD EVEN PROPOSE THAT THE PLATFORM ON WHICH PEOPLE CITED FOR CONTEMPT SHOULD NOT GO UNPUNISHED. MOST RADIO PRESENTERS DELIBERATELY SUBTLY PROVOKE UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE TO MAKE STATEMENT WHICH ARE LIKE TO BRING THEM IN COLLI ...
  read full comment

  I WOULD EVEN PROPOSE THAT THE PLATFORM ON WHICH PEOPLE CITED FOR CONTEMPT SHOULD NOT GO UNPUNISHED. MOST RADIO PRESENTERS DELIBERATELY SUBTLY PROVOKE UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE TO MAKE STATEMENT WHICH ARE LIKE TO BRING THEM IN COLLISION TO THE DIRECTIVES OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING. WHILE THOSE RADIO STATION ARE LEFT OFF THE HOOK WHEN, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO REALLY CREATED THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE

  reply
• CONCERNED GHANAIANS 12 years ago

  It seems that Ayikoi Otoo does not understand freedom of speech and how it applies. He may not compare 1968 to present day. The ignorance of that time gave authorities the leeway to redefine the laws in their context and exec ...
  read full comment

  It seems that Ayikoi Otoo does not understand freedom of speech and how it applies. He may not compare 1968 to present day. The ignorance of that time gave authorities the leeway to redefine the laws in their context and execute them as they wished.

  reply