The three persons who were jailed for four months following death threats on judges have walked out of jail into the arms teaming crowds of NDC supporters.

The three, Safifu Maase, the host, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn were released after President John Mahama granted a remission of their sentences.

The three, accompanied by their lawyers were at the premises of Radio Gold – the station which spearheaded a petition for their release.

Counsel for the three, George Loh said although they are excited about the release, issues that led to their conviction should not be taken for granted.

He said managers of the radio station – Montie FM on which the contemptuous comments were made – will ensure strict adherence to rules from now on.

“The release does not mean we will continue to tolerate the use of improper language on the station. Lessons have been learnt,” he stressed.

At the rally, three were doused with white powder to celebrate their release.

In a speech read after their release, host of the show Salifu Maase apologised again to the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood and the entire judiciary for the comments.

They thanked President John Mahama for their release and said they have learnt their lessons and will from now on advice panels on the show to be guided by their experience.

Background

The three had threatened to rape the Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood and kill other judges who sat on a case brought against the Electoral Commission.

But presiding over the case, the three said the judges wanted to foment trouble in the country and that if the 2016 elections turned violent they knew the homes of judges and finish them.

Their comments were roundly condemned by all and were later hauled before the judges to answer why they should not be held liable for contempt.

The three, together with the Directors of the radio station and the owner pleaded guilty to the charges of contempt and were duly sentenced on July 27, 2016.

Apart from the four-month jail term, the three were each slapped with Ȼ10,000 fine. Three of the Directors also had to pay Ȼ10,000 each whilst the owner was slapped with Ȼ30,000.

Petition

Shortly after they were sentenced there was a groundswell of petitions, mostly from party supporters, ministers of state and the contemnors themselves begging for pardon.

One of the lawyers for the contemnors, George Loh said the sentence was harsh and pleaded with the president to activate his powers of mercy under Article 72 of the Constitution.

The petitions were signed in haste and presented to the president, who in an unusual fashion, announced a handing over ceremony of the petition to the Council of State for advice.

Just days after the petitions were handed to the Cecilia Johnson led Council of State, a decision has been taken; an advice has been given to the president and the contemnors are to be set free.

The statement from the presidency read:

"The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has, in consultation with the Council of State and in exercise of his constitutional powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, remitted the remaining prison sentence imposed on three persons: Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe), Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn who were sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and a fine of ¢10,000.00 each for contempt of court. The remission is effective 26th August 2016.

The three were sentenced on 27th July 2016 and have served part of the prison sentences imposed on them. They have also paid the Ȼ10,000.00 fines.

The decision of His Excellency the President to remit their sentences on compassionate grounds follows a petition submitted to him by the contemnors appealing to the President to exercise his prerogative of mercy even as they continue to express deep remorse and regret for the unacceptable statements they made against the Judiciary.

His Excellency, President Mahama takes this opportunity to remind all Ghanaians of the need to respect the institutions of State and exercise freedom of speech responsibly mindful of the need to preserve peace and national unity," the statement said