GhanaPoliticsOnline.Com
Solicitors for jailed Montie FM panelists, and host have indicated their intention to petition President John Dramani Mahama to exercise his powers of prerogative of mercy under Article 72 of the Constitution of Ghana, for Montie convicts. They consider the sentence too harsh.
The three were sentenced on Wednesday by the Supreme Court, after they were found guilty of contempt charges brought against them. Following a threat they issued on radio to kill the judges handling the suit on the credibility of the voters’ register.
The lawyers for the three, George Loh and Nana Ato Dadzie in a statement, said although they admit comments made by their clients were “unacceptable”, they consider the sentence harsh and excessive.http://ghanapoliticsonline.com
“We do admit some of the statements uttered by some of our clients are unacceptable. We nevertheless consider custodial sentence of four months imposed by the Supreme Court as being excessive and harsh.”
“We also do not believe that citizens of Ghana ought to be committed to prison for infractions on free expression especially in light of the repeal of the criminal libel law. Our clients have directed us in circumstances to petition His Excellency the President of the Republic to exercise his powers of prerogative of mercy under Article 72 of the Constitution of Ghana.” The statement concluded.
Below Is The Full Statement:
By Nana Ato Dadzie & George Loh
27th July, 2016.
Accra – The Supreme Court of Ghana has spoken today, 27th July, 2016. As solicitors we accept the decision of the august court. We do admit some of the statements uttered by some of our clients are unacceptable.
We nevertheless consider custodial sentence of four months imposed by the Supreme Court as being excessive and harsh.
We also do not believe that citizens of Ghana ought to be committed to prison for infractions on free expression especially in light of the repeal of the criminal libel law.
Our clients have directed us in the circumstances to petition His Excellency the President of the Republic to exercise his powers of prerogative of mercy under Article 72 of the Constitution of Ghana.
GBC
