The Montie trio who were released Friday after serving a remitted jail term have rendered sincere apologies to the Chief Justice and justices of the Supreme Court for their condemnable behavior.
The three were handed a four-month jail term after being found guilty of scandalizing the court, defying and lowering the authority of the court and bringing it into disrepute. They were also fined GHC10,000 each.
They three are Alistair Nelson, a member of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Godwin Ako Gunn, a member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the talk show host on Montie FM Salifu Maase, aka ‘Mugabe’.
After spending one month in prison, President John Mahama on the advice of the Council of State exercised his prerogative under Article 72 and granted them remission, after he was petitioned. But that move has been criticised mainly by the opposition New Patriotic Party.
After being freed Friday morning, the three were received by a mammoth crowd at the premises of Radio Gold in Accra.
Addressing the charged crowd, Salifu Maase expressed their remorse to the bench.
“Let us restate our sincerest apologies to her Ladyship the Chief Justice, justices of the Supreme Court, and the bench in general for their [sic] unfortunate regrettable conduct which was rightfully condemned by all Ghanaians,” Mugabe said.
Conveying their gratitude to God for “keeping us safe”, Salifu Maase thanked President Mahama for “graciously” exercising his power under Article 72 remitting the custodian sentence imposed on them.
The trio also profusely appreciated the role played by the Council of State to get them released. They also thanked the Prisons officers as well as their fellow inmates for their kind treatment whilst in prison.
DIFFICULT MOMENT
Although there were many reports suggesting a number of high profile visits to the prison while the three were incarcerated, life was not easy for them, Mugabe confessed.
He would not state exactly the challenges they went through while in prison in spite of the goodies showered on them.
“Last one month has been a very difficult moment for us,” he told the roaring crowd of family, friends and supporters.
NEVER AGAIN
“None of us would ever wish to find himself anywhere near that situation again, never again, and I say never again,” he promised on behalf of his fellow repented contemnors.
He reiterated that he and his colleagues have learnt their lessons and asked persons who appear on radio and other media platforms to be circumspect in their utterances.
He charged all to uphold their civic responsibility of ensuring peace in the country especially as the country goes to the polls in December.
“We will continue to practise our profession mindful of all these,” he pointed out.
Story by Isaac Essel |3news.com |Ghana
