Audio By Carbonatix
Supreme Court upholds presidential pardon granted radio show host and two others saying the power of President in this instance cannot be questioned.
The Supreme has by a majority decision ruled that former President, John Dramani, did no wrong in granting a presidential pardon to a radio show host and two others convicted of contempt.
Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn, and Salifu Maase who were part of a political talk show on Accra-based Montie FM were jailed on July 27, 2016, following threats, made live on radio, to kill some judges whose judgements they disagreed with.
They also threatened to rape the Chief Justice then, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, on the same show.
One of them, Godwin Ako-Gun, was elected Deputy Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) just last weekend.
Despite a three-month jail sentence handed by the Supreme Court, the NDC supporters were set free by then President, John Dramani Mahama on August 22, 2016, after they had served a little over three weeks in jail.
Read: Mahama frees Montie 3
Listen to President Mahama speak on why he granted them pardon in the audio attached:
Three legal practitioners Nana Asante Bediatuo, Elipklim Agbemeva; and Alfred Yeboah then headed to the apex court asking for a declaration that the pardon granted them is null and void. They maintain the then President did not have the power to grant pardons in criminal contempt matters.
Delivering the decision of the Panel, Justice Adinyira said the President's powers to grant pardons covers criminal contempt. She added that this cannot be questioned by the court.
The court 's decision was a majority 5-2 decision comprising Justices Adinyira, Baffour Bonnie, Appau, Pwamang, Benin.
Justices Anin Yeboah and Dotse disagreed with the majority decision.
Latest Stories
-
I assure Otumfuo, Mahama will join him to commission KNUST Teaching Hospital by end of this year – Haruna Iddrisu
1 minute -
Gov’t to roll out free special education for persons with disabilities from July 1 – Education Minister
23 minutes -
“We used it to test our officiating officials’ readiness” – Bawah Fuseini after CAA Athletics event
50 minutes -
Volleyball emerges as Ghana’s fastest rising sport
57 minutes -
National Sports Fund needs strong leadership from the top – Administrator David Wuaku
1 hour -
JoySports Exclusive: Steve McLaren in talks with GFA after expressing interest in Black Stars job
1 hour -
Fire guts auto parts warehouse at Bubuashie, one fire officer injured
1 hour -
I owe my victory to coach Ofori Asare – Allotey after winning WBA Africa Gold Super Flyweight belt
2 hours -
Church of Pentecost supports over 2,000 BECE candidates in Obuasi with career guidance seminar
3 hours -
Brandon Asante and Coventry all but promoted to Premier League despite Sheffield Wednesday draw
3 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Late Kwartemaa strike downs Hearts in Tema
4 hours -
Ghana Faces Sierra Leone Moment as Prosecutorial Powers come under strain
4 hours -
Don’t consume fish or seafood from Tema Shipyard until further notice – FDA warns
4 hours -
Why volunteering might be Africa’s most underrated career accelerator
4 hours -
ActionAid Ghana raises concern over gender gaps in Feed Ghana Programme
4 hours