Charles Antwi, the man who was handed a 10-year jail sentence for attempting to assassinate President John Mahama has been freed.
Counsel for the man, Francis Xavier Sosu in an interview with Joy News confirmed the pardon Friday.
He explained that a petition they addressed to the Attorney-General, Mrs Marietta Brew-Opong to that effect led to his client's release from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI)’s custody.
Mr Antwi was apprehended in July 2015 with a loaded gun at the Ringway Assemblies of God Church, where Ghana’s first family worships.
He was arraigned and admitted to a plot to assassinate the President adding the foiled attempt was his third to end the life of the nation’s leader, he confessed.
He pleaded guilty to charges held against him.
Charged with possession of firearms without lawful excuse contrary to Section 11 of NRCD 9 (1972), an Accra Circuit Court handed him a-10-year jail sentence.
Some legal luminaries who were displeased with the conduct of the court citing the failure to pay due diligence in the process.
It was later revealed that Mr Antwi was mentally ill. His lawyer insisted he undergoes through a medical check-up rather than jail lock up him.
On August 31, 2015, an Accra Human Rights court presided over by J. A. Okwabi ordered for his released from custody. His ruling was based on documents furnished him by Mr Sosu which pointed out infractions in the earlier ruling.
The A-G expressed shock about his rushed sentencing resulting in the decision to grant him pardon.
[L-R] Francis Sosu with client, Charles Antwi
“He became more apologetic. What he needs is encouragement and assistance because he is still recovering fully,” Mr Sosu said.
Even though he appears mentally fit to join the Ghanaian society, the pro-bono lawyer said assistance should be rendered to Mr Antwi as it would be done for any mentally ill patient.
“I won’t say that he is 100 percent but he is safe to be in the society,” he said.
Mr Antwi who was a driver before his incarceration told Joy News he would go back to driving.
He thanked Mr Sosu for working for his release.