General News of Monday, 12 August 2013

Source: Joy Online

Asiedu Nketia cautions NDC members against contempt

General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has issued a stern warning to party members against making contemptuous comments in the ongoing presidential election petition.

He stated emphatically that the NDC will not support any member hauled before the court to answer contempt of court charges.

Asiedu Nketia’s comment comes after the court had summoned two leading members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie also known as Sir John, and communications team member, Hopeson Adorye, are to appear before the Supreme Court on Wednesday August 14, 2013 to show why they "should not be committed to prison for scandalizing the court, lowering the authority and credibility of this court in the eyes of the general public and exciting hatred and ill-will towards the first and second respondents herein".

But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, a sober Johnson Asiedu Nketia declined to comment on the Sir John–Adorye issue.

According to him, in matters of contempt "a layman like me" must be very cautious not to fall victim.

General Mosquito as he is popularly called noted that after the final "touchline" by the presiding judge, Justice William Atuguba, he has made a conscious effort to abide by the orders of the court.

The outspoken NDC scribe, who assumed the role of a court room reporter when the case began, has been measured in his commentary since two men were jailed for contempt.

He believes his close pal in the NPP, Sir John, as a lawyer in good standing will be able to discharge himself well when he appears before the judges.

General Mosquito advised NDC members to take a cue from what is happening and stay out of trouble.