Mahama explains why Montie trio were freed

 President John Mahama has explained why he freed the Montie trio who were jailed four months each for scandalising the Supreme Court.

He said he followed the law in granting remission to the Montie three.

According to him, he consulted the Council of State as directed by the constitution before coming to the decision to set them free.

"I think that the overriding consideration must be that all arms of government must act constitutionally, I swore an oath on the 7th of January 2013 to abide by the constitution and so every action I take must be in consonance with the constitution.

"The young men were called before the Supreme Court for contempt and even before they were called before the court, they apologised and shown remorse, before the court also, they apologised. They asked for mitigation before the court, retracted and even after they were sent to jail they apologised again."

Speaking on Good Evening Ghana on Metro TV Tuesday, he said "I don’t know what interest it will serve anyone the three extra months they would have served there. I did exactly what the constitution wanted me to do. I consulted the Council of State and they recommended that  I activated my powers under article 72 and that is what I did. And so I think that I acted in the interest of the state."

Safifu Maase, the host, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn were released from prison following a remission of their sentences by President John Mahama.

President Mahama remitted their sentences on Monday August 22, a move that received a mixed reaction.

Some commentators saw the remission as a slap in the face of the Judiciary, while others said the President has only exercised his prerogative of mercy under Ariticle 72 of the Constitution.

A statement signed by the Communications Minister Dr Omane Boamah said the decision was taken on the advice of the Council of State and was on compassionate grounds.