A Deputy Education Minister in charge of tertiary, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and the Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Valerie Sawyerr, on Thursday, joined to sign a petition book, opened on the premises of pro-government station Radio Gold, ostensibly to pile pressure on President Mahama, to free the Montie FM trio, jailed by the Supreme Court.
The three; Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe, were sentenced to serve four months in jail on Wednesday, after they were found guilty of contempt charges.
This was after they threatened the lives of the judges who were presiding over a case on the credibility of the voters’ register. The incumbent NDC leadership in particular has described the sentencing as harsh.
Lawyers for the convicts have also served notice they will petition the President to pardon them.
Some party members numbering about 30, on Thursday protested at the NDC’s headquarters asking the President to pardon the three or risk losing their votes in the December polls.
A group calling itself the Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP), which opened the petition book, is pushing the signature collection in a bid to persuade President Mahama to activate his prerogative of mercy powers under Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution.
The petition book has garnered signatures from notable NDC officials and government appointees including Valerie Sawyerr, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Benjamin Dagadu and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare.
The trio were also fined Ghc10,000 each or in default serve an additional one-month jail term.
The four directors of Network Broadcasting Limited, owners of Montie FM; Ato Ahwoi, Edward Addo, Kwesi Kyei Atuah, and Kwesi Bram Addo, are also to pay a fine of GHc 30,000.
Mr. Harry Zakuor, owner of Zeze media, which owns Montie FM frequency, 100.1, is also to pay a separate fine of GHc 30,000.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana