The jail sentence slapped on the Muntie 3 by the Supreme Court last Monday has elicited a worrying, if you like rowdy and obscene reaction from the so-called supporters of the contemnors, almost all of who are members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
We are trying to suppress the temptation to think that the ruling party is supportive of the misconduct of the three persons.
For a party which claims to be obsessed with delivering good governance and upholding the tenets of democracy, the inherent contradiction makes a mockery of the stance of the party and it is regretful. There is a subtle orchestration of the unfolding efforts at presenting the three as angels and the Supreme Court judges villains.
Early signs about the NDC reaction were evidenced from the first appearance of the then convicts at the Supreme Court.
It was the day on which journalists suffered untold ordeal at the hands of thugs brought to the premises of the court by someone in authority. What unfolded and the demeanour of the party supporters provided adequate premonition about what was to come.
What we are seeing and hearing are part of the indiscipline very much associated with the ruling party: NDC General Secretary Asiedu Nketia recently declared that their party has been weaned of unruly and bloody conduct.
Unfortunately that does not appear to be a reflection of the reality.
Indiscipline and inappropriate conduct continue to be very much attributes of the ruling party, the assertion of the General Secretary to the contrary notwithstanding.
The aftermath of the appearance of the contemnors and now prisoners has proven that the ruling party is still in love with the hurling of invectives and even leveling of unsubstantiated allegations against persons they are opposed to without due consideration about the repercussions of such fabrications.
Ordinary remarks disagreeing with the judgments of the courts, including the Supreme Court, would not have been unusual if they are presented decently without personal insults.
In fact had the foregone been the case, this commentary would not have been necessary. Not so when such disagreements are shrouded in insults and obscenities.
Some of the remarks emanating from the mouths of the NDC supporters could land such persons in trouble with the law as they contain sufficient grounds for contempt proceedings.
Innuendos and outright invectives being poured out by NDC supporters in reaction to the incarceration of the radio programme host and panelists cannot be inuring to the good of justice administration the image of the judiciary being the target of the attackers.
The role of the judiciary in every democracy worth its salt cannot be marginalized: the best way to undermine its sanctity and deference is by traversing along this smelly and contemptuous path. As a bastion of our democracy and civil rights, the judiciary should be the last arm of government to be ill-treated by those who claim to be upholders of democracy. Ironically, these are persons who would turn to the courts for the adjudication in disputes or even when their rights are trampled upon by officialdom. How pitiful!