<<Print>>

Kwesi Pratt says he believes President John Dramani Mahama will heed the advice of the Council of State regarding the Montie 3 saga.

According to the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, the President will be shooting himself in the foot should he disregard their counsel.

Speaking on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, Mr. Pratt expressed worry over the logic of some critics that a decision by President John Mahama to grant the contempt convicts pardon will be a blow in the face of the Judges who ruled on the case.

To him, the President will not be undermining the integrity of the judiciary in any way should he exercise his discretionary powers under Article 72 because he can grant pardon to convicts facing death penalties and other corporal punishments.

He noted that if the President can intervene in such cases, then applying the orders under Article 72 in consultation with the Council of State would not dent the image of the judicial arm of government.

Mr. Pratt further stated that President's decision to hand over the 'free Montie 3' petition to the Council of State is a step in the right direction, adding that he doesn't "believe the President will ignore or trample upon the advice that the Council of State will give him. It cannot happen. He will be ‘killing’ himself should he do that. If the Council of State says don’t pardon them and he goes ahead to pardon them, it will be a grave issue for him. I am confident that he will obey the counsel that the Council of State will give him. It will frighten and shocked me if he doesn’t comply with the advice of the Council of State.”