Pardon people who commit similar offence - Ndebugri to Mahama

Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh 06:26 - 23 August 2016

___5408394___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5408394___2016___8___23___8___Lawyer-John-Ndebugri

Private Legal practitioner John Ndebugri says President Mahama and the NDC as a party may have to act in a similar manner if anyone else commits a similar offence.

President Mahama may have to pardon people who commit a similar offence as the Montie trio, private legal practitioner John Ndebugri says.

“If anyone does anything similar to what the Montie 3 did, they may also have to be pardoned.”

He also said on Accra-based Citi FM that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has set a precedence that they must follow when similar situations occur.

“NDC should have kept quiet and then allow the contemnors to send the petition…so tomorrow if someone from the NPP or the CPP or any other political party other than the NDC does anything similar to what these three did, it is incumbent on the NDC as a political organisation to go and open a book for people to sign so that such persons are given compassionate considerations by the President.”

He explained that even though the President exercised his constitutional rights, he should have allowed them to serve the full term of their sentence.

“As far as I'm concerned, the sentences of the Montie 3 were short. They could have served it,” he added.

The president, late on Monday, August 22, 2016, freed the three men, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase who were sentenced to four months in prison by the Supreme Court following contempt proceedings against them.

The contempt proceedings came after the three threatened the lives of Supreme Court judges who sat on the Abu Ramadan and Gary Nimako versus the Electoral Commission case.

A statement signed by the Communications Minister Dr Omane Boamah said the decision to free them was taken in consultation with the Council of State and was on compassionate grounds.