General News of Friday, 16 February 2007

Source: solid 103.7fm,kumasi

NPP MP seeks prez pardon for jailed MP

The new patriotic party Member of Parliament(MP) for Suame, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, has described as unfortunate, the decision by NDC Members of Parliament to boycott proceedings following the incarceration of their colleague MP, Dan Abdokpi,the MP for Keta, for willfully causing financial loss to the state.

He has therefore appealed to the president to give the jailed MP presidential pardon, as the country celebrates its golden jubilee.

Hon. Mensah Bonsu, however, advised Ghanaians to stop reading politics into the matter and allow the judiciary to work.

He said records available indicate that the former minister’s action warrants the court sentence but was quick to state that the jailed MP was hardworking and committed to his duties that saw him holding a ministerial position in the NDC regime.

Mr. Mensah Bonsu was speaking in an exclusive interview with Solidnews in the wake of the boycott of Parliament and the subsequent public debate their action generated.

The MP, who is the Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, explained that though he does not condone wrongdoing, it would be prudent for the President to use powers vexed in him by the Executive Instrument to seek amnesty for his colleague to help ease any political tension as the nation celebrate its 50 years of independence.

There have been divided opinions and mixed reactions in all corners of the country in the wake of Mr. Abodakpi’s imprisonment by an Accra Fast Track High Court on Monday.