Judge erred in convicting Mahama's failed assassin - A-G

The Attorney-General has told an Accra High Court the circuit court judge who jailed 36-year-old Charles Antwi for unlawful possession of firearm, erred.

The AG’s Department, led by Yvonne Attakorah said the convict was sent to be remanded not sentenced.

An Accra Circuit Court presided by Justice Francis Obiri, sentenced Charles Antwi to 10 years’ imprisonment after he confessed to wanting to kill the president.

Charles went to the Ringway Gospel Centre branch of the Assemblies of God church where the president and his family fellowship with a locally manufactured pistol.

The president and his family were not in church that.

He arrested upon suspicious behaviour, a statement from Communications Minister Omane Boamah said.

Within 48 hours after his arrest, Charles Antwi was handed a 10 year jail term for the illegal possession of a firearm .

But this was condemned by many who thought the trial was unusually swift.

Mother of Charles said the sentence was inappropriate because her son had a mental problem.

Constitutional expert, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare described the ruling as "despicable" and "unheard of."

A legal practitioner, Mathias Yakah also questioned the ruling saying “it is totally wrong in law to sentence someone who has pleaded not guilty…he must be made to go through full trial…,”

Another lawyer, Yaw Oppong, described the ruling as severe adding that it was a "travesty of justice".

A human rights lawyer, Francis Sosu, said the verdict was a complete "miscarriage of justice" and a "violation of the Mental Health Act."

He went to the high court and filed for an order of certiorari to reverse the sentence.

The has also filed processes at the High Court seeking to quash the decision of the circuit court.

Joy News’ Latif Iddrisu, who was in court, reported the A-G’s department as requesting Mr. Sosu to withdraw his case so they could fight together to get justice for the victim.