Convicted Montie squad have purged themselves of wrongdoing – Lawyer

Lawyer of of the convicted panelists and presenter of Accra-based Montie FM says his clients can go to jail in peace because they have purged themselves of any wrongdoing.

Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe says the presenter, Salifu Maase popularly known as Mugabe and the panelists, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn have duly apologized to the Justices of the Supreme Court and the nation for comments they made on Montie FM that scandalised the court.

“For them, they have cleansed their conscience because they knew within themselves that they were wrong and they took the necessary steps to purge themselves. They have purged themselves of whatever it is,” he said.

Mr Tamakloe disclosed this in an interview with Evans Mensah, host of Joy FM’s Top Story programme when reacting to the Supreme Court (SC)’s sentencing of his clients.

The Court, presided over by Justice Sophia Akuffo handed a four-month jail term and a GH₵10,000 fine each to Salifu Maase, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn for contempt of court.

The two panelists spurred on by Mr Maase threatened to murder justices of the SC if their ruling in an electoral roll case brought against the Electoral Commission (EC) by a former National Youth Organiser of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako does not favour the Commission.

They singled out the Chief Justice Georgina Wood and Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbedegbe as targets in the event their ruling plunges the nation into chaos.

The three together with the owners of the radio station were summoned by the court for contempt. Maase, Nelson, and Ako Gunn were handed four-month jail term each together with a fine of GH₵10,000 each to be paid within 24-hours, a failure of which attracts additional one month jail term.

The owners of the station namely Edward Addo, Ato Ahwoi and Kwesi Kyei Atuah were fined GH¢30,000 and will have to make the payment by close of day tomorrow. Harry Zakour, owner of the frequency was separately fined 30,000 cedis.

Even though many political analysts have described the punishment as satisfactory, Mr Tamakloe believes the court could have handed the three a form of punishment other than a jail term.

“Obviously, we were disappointed,” he said, adding, “We would have called for any other punishment but the judges thought otherwise but a day in prison I won’t wish for anybody.”

When questioned if they are considering seeking a review of the sentences, Mr Tamakloe said they have agreed to allow the law to take its cause, adding, he is happy the convicted men have cleared their conscience of their misdeeds.

They have apologised to the Justices of the court and the nation for what they did. They have repented so they can go to jail as free men, he added.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected]