Council of State has become an anchor for misconduct - MP

Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai and Ranking Member of Parliamentary Committee on Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, Joe Osei-Wusu has criticised the  Council of State following President John Mahama's  grant of pardon to the  Montie trio, describing it as a haven for scoundrels. 

According to him, “Every country rests firmly on some pillars of state. One such pillar is the Council of State. Rather than standing firm and being a pillar, statesmen and women, they have chosen to be partisan and I regret that very much. They have become an anchor for misconduct rather than the pillars of state".

The president in consultation with the Council of State, on Monday, remitted the remaining of the prison sentence imposed on the three contemnors, Salifu Maase, Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn.

“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,” portions of a statement released by Minister for Communications, Edward Omane-Boamah said.

But  speaking to the matter on Accra-based Class FM  Tuesday, the former DVLA Boss said the remission of the sentences was unfortunate and dangerous.

"People who misconduct themselves will petition and the Council of State will say: ‘On compassionate grounds, give it to them, release them…" rather than the Council of State standing firmly and saying: ‘No, this state must be protected from miscreants; people who abuse their constitutional powers must be punished.’ These statesmen and women have become supporters of miscreants, those who misconduct themselves and abuse the constitutional rights they have", he said.