Alistair Tairo Nelson, 41, and Godwin Ako Gunn

BNI arrests 2 radio panellists for threatening judges

Mary Mensah, Mabel Aku Baneseh & Salomey Appiah Jul - 04 - 2016 , 08:43

Two radio panellists who allegedly threatened judges of the superior courts with death are in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

Alistair Tairo Nelson, 41, and Godwin Ako Gunn, 39, issued threats of harm or death on Supreme Court and High Court judges on an Accra-based radio station, Muntie 100.1 FM, on June 29, 2016.

The two turned themselves in at the offices of the BNI yesterday.

Nelson, a BNI source said, described himself as a former member of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), while Gunn simply told the BNI he was a resident of La, Accra.

A highly placed BNI source told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the two were being sought by the BNI for threatening the lives of judges but they (panellists) turned themselves in.

Offence admitted

“They were interrogated and they admitted making statements deemed inflammatory, but indicated that the statements were their personal views and uttered on a political programme.

“They said they did not intend any malice but, on second thoughts, they admitted that those statements were uncalled for,” the source disclosed.

According to the source, the two had given their statements.

It said investigations were, however, continuing, adding, “Our findings will determine the way forward.”

Comments

The two, during the show, threatened the lives of Supreme Court judges for clarifying their May 5, 2016 judgement which directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to delete the names of persons who registered as voters with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards.

They were not happy with the court’s decision and, accordingly, warned that mayhem would be visited on the Chief Justice and the other superior court judges if their decisions led to chaos in the country.

Their attacks have been condemned by cool-headed Ghanaians and organisations.

Assurance

Meanwhile, the government has given an assurance that it shall provide maximum security for all institutions of state and individuals to ensure that they go about their activities without fear or hindrance.

Giving the assurance in an interview in Accra yesterday, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Prosper Bani, said the security agencies were on top of security issues and, so, there was no cause for alarm.

Mr Bani was reacting to statements allegedly made by the two radio panellists, Nelson and Gunn, threatening judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court.

He said all citizens should be assured that the utterances of people notwithstanding, the government had the responsibility that the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary and, indeed, all individuals enjoyed their personal and institutional protection.

He said the security agencies would discharge their responsibilities creditably in the event of the issues or occurrences that threatened the security of people, agents of state or institutions.

Mr Bani said he was hopeful that the security agencies would secure the peaceful conduct of this year’s general election.

Security agencies

Conveying similar sentiments on the same issue, the Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, said the government trusted that the security agencies would be professional in matters which would arise before, during and after the general election.

He assured judges and the citizenry that they would be given the utmost safety before, during and after the elections.