How thorough are Prison Officers in recommending convicts for Pardon?

A GNA News Feature, By Boakye-Dankwa Boadi

Accra, Oct. 21 GNA - Ghana celebrated her 43rd anniversary of Republican status on July 1, 2003 and as it has been the practice over the years, President John Agyekum Kufuor pardoned a number of prisoners, including Francis Ababio alias Djithianda.

But as our elders say: "Yafun bone nnim se wo asa," which literally translates "a bad stomach does not respond to enema treatment," Ababio had made nonsense of the pardon extended to him.

Ababio, who had stolen a car previously and was serving a term imposed by a Madina Magistrate's Court but was released during this year's celebration, was again in the docks on Tuesday October 21 for stealing a Nissan Patrol car valued at 200 million cedis belonging to the Ghana Health Service Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress.

Thirty-five years old Ababio was slapped with 20 years' imprisonment to keep him away from decent society. He had pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted accordingly.

Sentencing him, Mr Willy Wise Kyeremeh sitting at an Accra Circuit Court said: "I take a serious exception to the conduct of the convict, who has made nonsense of the Presidential Pardon extended to him," and turning to the Convict in the dock, added: "Your conduct indicates that you are a hardened criminal."

Continuing he said: "Accused is a dangerous element to the society and as such a deterrent sentence should be given to him."

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Paul Frimpong had told the Court that the driver of the Nissan Patrol Car parked it in front of his house at Madina on October 17 and went to sleep. The following day, at about 0430 hours, the driver woke up only to find the car stolen. He reported to the Police, who in turn, sent wireless messages to all Police stations in the country and made announcements in the media.

A Police Highway Patrol Team intercepted the vehicle at Gomoa Potsin Junction and Ababio was arrested.

The Prosecution said Ababio in his caution statement admitted stealing the car.

This episode raises the question of how Presidential Pardons are granted. It must make the Prisons Authorities to devise more effective ways of assessing convicts before recommending them to benefit. Ababio was caught but how could anyone be sure that the upsurge in robbery in the country is not the handiwork of people like Ababio, who were recently pardoned. Indeed: "Yafun bone nnim se wo asa!"