The jailed presenter of Accra-based Montie FM and two panelists who were given custodial sentence have signed a petition for President Mahama to grant them presidential pardon.

This was disclosed by one of their lawyers, George Loh on Joy News’ current affairs programme, PM Express.

Salifu Maase, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gun were sentenced to four months in prison by the Supreme Court on June 27 for threatening to kill judges.

They were also fined 10,000 cedis each by the apex court. While many believe the punishment meted out to them is too lenient, some have argued that they did not deserve it.

Ministers of state including Education Minister Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang and one of her deputies, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Nana Oye Lithur are among people who have signed a petition to compel the President to free the triad.

Nana Oye Lithur signing the petition at the premises of Radio Gold in Accra

The petitioners have insisted that President John Mahama can invoke his powers under Article 72 of the constitution to pardon the incarcerated panelist and show host.

The involvement of the ministers in the call has been panned by political pundits but George Loh has indicated that it is ‘within the rights of the ministers to show solidarity’.

Mr Loh added that the legal team of the three have received the petition but are yet to present it to the President.