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The Ga Traditional Council has expressed gratitude to President John Mahama for the remission of the sentences slapped on the Montie trio.

Niimei have also thanked all those who showed solidarity through prayers and pleas for mercy for the ex-convicts who were last month, jailed for contempt of the Supreme Court.

The three, Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe, Alistair Tairo Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn, sentenced on July 27, 2016, served one month of their scheduled 4 month jail term. They also paid the GH¢10,000 each to the Court.

The reaction of the Chiefs was made known at a meeting of the Ga Traditional Council on Monday at the Ga Mantse Palace. Niimei used the opportunity to thank the President, the Council of State and well-meaning Ghanaians who helped to make it a reality.

The have subsequently sent a formal letter to the President, John Mahama to officially notify him.

Niimei deliberated on a number of issues including the proposed Courtesy Call on the Traditional Council by the Muntie-3 following their release from prison.

While Niimei felt honored by the thought underpinning the well intentioned request they hoped the incident will serve as a deterrent to all especially those in the broadcast media to be decorous in their presentations.

They also expressed readiness to welcome an appreciation letter from the Montie trio and the owners of the station in general.

The Ga Traditional Council on August 1st, 2016, pleaded with President Mahama to use his constitutional powers and release the Montie trio who were jailed.  The Council argued that sentence was too harsh. Gbese Mantse and member of the Traditional Council Nii Ayibonte said “if the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling, nobody can question the court but we think that the verdict is a harsh one.”

Acting president of the Council Nii Dodoo Nsaki II explained that they are pleading for their release because the Ga State was in a period of reconciliation ahead of the annual Homowo festival.

Last week, the President remitted the sentences of the three. According to a statement signed by Dr Omane Boama, Communication Minister, “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 remaining prison sentence imposed on three persons: Salifu Maase (alias Mugabe), Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn who were sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and a fine of GHȻ10,000.00 each for contempt of court. The remission is effective 26th August 2016.

“The decision of His Excellency the President to remit their sentences on compassionate grounds follows a petition submitted to him by the contemnors appealing to the President to exercise his prerogative of mercy even as they continue to express deep remorse and regret for the unacceptable statements they made against the Judiciary, “the Government stated.

Thousands of listeners of Montie Fm welcomed the trio when they were released from the Akuse Prisons on 26th August.  Addressing a welcoming crowd at the premises of Montie FM. Salifu Maase, alias ‘Mugabe’ and two others panelists on his show, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn expressed their appreciation to President Mahama for remitting their 4-month prison sentences.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the President, John Mahama for graciously exercising his constitutional powers under Article 72 in our favour in remitting the remaining custodial sentence imposed on us recently,” Mugabe said.

“We would like to thank the Council of State profusely for their role in our release…” he added.

The trio had expressed their regret for the comments they made on the Accra-based radio station and called on the President to bear in mind the embarrassment their conduct and incarceration has caused their loved ones, in his consideration of the petition and reverse the “harsh and excessive” sentence.

They expressed their gratitude to God for keeping them safe during their incarceration and taking care of their loved ones as well.

“We give praise and thanks to the Almighty for keeping us safe during our imprisonment and given our wives and families strength to cope in the situation we found ourselves in,” Mugabe said