National

Montie convictions are novelty- Lawyer

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

 A private legal practitioner Kwabena Fio has described as  a "novelty " a decision by the Supreme Court to convict a staff of an Accra based radio station, Montie FM, two panelists and owners of the station.

Host of Pampaso program, Salifu Maase, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako-Gunn and four directors and owners of the station were all found guilty of the contempt charge bought against them

The court has slated July 27 to announce a possible jail term for the contemnors. The two panelists Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako-Gunn threatened judges sitting on a case involving the Electoral Commission and Abu Ramadan, a member of the People's National Convention.

The panelists buoyed by the host on several occasions threatened to kill the judges  if they ruled against the Electoral Commission.

They were cited for contempt and hauled before the judges they had threatened to kill.

When they appeared they pleaded liable to the contempt and prayed the court to show mercy.

But the court found them guilty together with the owners of the station but decided to adjourn sitting to July 27, during which it will announce a possible sentence.

Speaking to Joy News, Lawyer Kwabena Fio found it intriguing that the owners and directors of the station would be found guilty for criminal offences committed by the staff.

Quoting Section 139 of Company Act, Mr Fio said "the law makes distinction between the company and the directors" and wondered how the directors could be held directly responsible for offences committed by the three contemnors.

"At what point can a director be criminally liable for offence committed by a staff? he questioned.

He argued that in Ghana's democratic dispensation the legislature has power to summon people to the Privileges Committee for contempt; the Judiciary also has powers to summon people for contempt and wondered what powers the executive have to also hold others in contempt.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:  
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.