General News of Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Source: Philip Kofi Ashon

Thank you Mr. President – Dramani Sakande’s family

The family of former Bawku MP, Mr. Adamu Dramani Sakande has commended President John Mahama for granting their kinsman Presidential pardon.

The jailed New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP was dragged to court by a Kumasi based cattle dealer, Sumaila Bilbil over his dual citizenship status.

Mr. Sakande was sentenced to two years imprisonment after he was found guilty of false declaration of office, perjury and deceiving a public officer.

As a constitutional requirement, President John Mahama tampered justice with mercy by granting the former Bawku MP Presidential pardon.

The Brother to the former MP, Mohammed Tahidu Nnambe told Citi News “we are very grateful to the government, especially the President for this pardon because it is hard for somebody to sympathize or empathize with someone who has been incarcerated.”

“We have been very, very elated, very, very happy about this news that we have gotten regarding his pardon. We will welcome him home and make sure things work well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sumaila Bilbil, the complainant who dragged Mr. Sakande to court told Citi News, he has no problem with the Presidential pardon.

“Somebody called me around 5:30 AM this morning and told me that... the President has pardoned Honourable Adamu Dramani so I have no problem about that. While the truth, I have been able to establish that the truth has come out, I have no problem about that.”

According to him, “the President has the prerogative power to do whatever he wishes so who am I to say that he cannot grant him Presidential pardon. I am very happy, he is a brother so he should come out; it will serve as a lesson to others.”