President John Mahama had no political considerations in deciding to remit the remainder of the four-month jail term imposed on the Montie trio, presidential staffer Dr. Clement Apaak has said.

“The argument that this was done under duress or for political expediency or motivated by political interest cannot be justified,” he told Prince Minkah on Class91.3FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on Tuesday August 23.

A statement signed and released on Monday, 22 August, by Communications Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah said: “The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has, in consultation with the Council of State and in exercise of his constitutional powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, remitted the remainder of the prison sentence imposed on three persons: Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe), Alistair Nelson, and Ako Gunn, who were sentenced to four months' imprisonment and a fine of GHS10,000.00 each for contempt of court. The remission is effective 26th August, 2016.”

“The three were sentenced on 27th July, 2016 and have served part of the prison sentences imposed on them. They have also paid the GHS 10,000.00 (ten thousand cedis) fines.

The decision of His Excellency the President to remit their sentences on compassionate grounds follows a petition submitted to him by the contemnors appealing to the president to exercise his prerogative of mercy even as they continue to express deep remorse and regret for the unacceptable statements they made against the judiciary.”

Several political figures including ministers from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) signed a petition that was presented to President Mahama to free the three. Dr. Apaak, however, argues that the release of the three was not based on political inclination.

He cited an example where former NPP MP for Bawku Central, Adamu Daramani Sakande, was granted amnesty by the government.

In his case, an Accra High Court on July 27 found him guilty and convicted him on three counts of false declaration, perjury, and deceiving a public officer. “On the basis of that alone, we can say that this is a fair-minded president who likes to treat issues on the basis of their merit,” Dr Apaak said.

For him, the president’s action was based on the constitution in addition to the fact that the purpose for the incarceration of the contemnors had been realised. “They have served time and the intent of punishment meted out to them has been achieved and people can learn good and valuable lessons from this.”