‘Release of Charles Antwi opportunity for state prosecutors’

Human rights lawyer, Francis-Xavier Sosu says the release of the 36-year old man who attempted to assassinate President John Mahama, is an opportunity for state prosecutors to properly investigate the case.

Charles Antwi was arrested on July 26 in possession of a loaded gun in a church where President Mahama fellowships, and handed a 10-year jail term on his first appearance in court.

Prosecutors had gone to the court praying for a remand to allow them investigate the case in which Antwi, said to be a mentally deranged, was facing a charge of unlawful possession of firearm.

Although he appeared in court without a lawyer and pleaded not guilty to the charge, the Circuit Court in view of his confession, changed the plea, and accordingly convicted him.

His conviction and sentencing was criticised by many lawyers, including Mr. Sosu, who filed a certiorari in the Human Rights Court to quash the lower court’s decision on grounds of miscarriage of justice.

At its sitting Monday morning, the Human Rights Court presided over by Justice J.A. Okwabi, said the lower court erred in law in the 10-year sentence having considered the documents before the court,and arguments by Mr. Sosu and state attorneys.

The court thus discharged him and ordered he is treated for psychiatric illness.

Speaking to TV3 shortly after the court ruling, Mr. Sosu said state attorneys and the security personnel should further investigate the case to determine if there is any merit at all before any attempt to arraign Antwi again.

He however warned that anything the state attorneys and the security personnel do should be in accordance with the law.