Montie 3: ‘Arrest’ Okudzeto For Threatening Mahama - NDC

Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described comments by Sam Okudzeto, former president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) as baseless and a threat on the life of President John Mahama.

The party said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah Tuesday that “…the NDC considers this statement from Mr. Okudjeto not only as a threat to President Mahama's life but also, a danger to the very foundation of the country's Constitution, the people, and democracy, especially when such baseless and dangerous pronouncement is coming from a supposed seasoned and experienced legal practitioner of no mean repute.”

The party thus called on the Police to invite the former president of the GBA for questioning.

“While condemning this unfortunate statement in no uncertain terms, the NDC also calls on the Police and the security agencies to invite Mr. Okudjeto to answer for such reckless and irresponsible statement since it is pregnant with unimaginable provocation to lawlessness and chaos,” it said.

Mr. Okudjeto Monday warned the president against pardoning the jailed Montie three, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase alias 'Mugabe' saying President Mahama's compliance to the pardon calls will mark his own funeral.

“They threatened judges, which are a criminal offence, they [Attorney General] refused to prosecute the people and now should he (Mr. Mahama) free them that is going to be his own funeral,” he told Accra-based Class FM, Monday.

“…What lesson will he be telling the people of Ghana; that if people commit a criminal offence, because they are his party people, therefore, he should go and pardon them? Is that a proper way to administer the pardon? That is my view,” he added.

The 'Montie trio were last week sentenced to four months each in prison for scandalizing, disparaging and disregarding the Supreme Court.

Below is the full statement

NDC CONDEMNS STATEMENT BY SAM OKUDJETO
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted with concern and disappointment the reaction of Mr. Sam Okudjeto a private legal practitioner, at public pleas to the President, John Dramani Mahama to invoke Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution to free the Muntie trio.

The Muntie trio; Mr. Godwin Arko Gunn, Mr. Alistair Nelson and Mr. Salifu Maase were last week sentenced four months each in prison for scandalising the Supreme Court.

Mr. Okudjeto, who is supposed to be an accomplished legal practitioner, is vehemently opposed to the petition by lawyers of the trio and, pleas from civil society organizations, traditional rulers and a large section of the nation to President Mahama to pardon the convicts.

Mr. Okudjeto is reported to have said in a section of the media that any attempt or act by the President to pardon the three convicts would mean the President arranging his own funeral.

The NDC considers this statement from Mr. Okudjeto not only as a threat to President Mahama's life but also, a danger to the very foundation of the country's Constitution, the people, and democracy, especially when such baseless and dangerous pronouncement is coming from a supposed seasoned and experienced legal practitioner of no mean repute.

While condemning this unfortunate statement in no uncertain terms, the NDC also calls on the Police and the security agencies to invite Mr. Okudjeto to answer for such reckless and irresponsible statement since it is pregnant with unimaginable provocation to lawlessness and chaos.

Signed

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
General Secretary.