Lawyer lauded for consolidating rule of law

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has lauded the singular effort of human rights lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu in ensuring that the rule of law and due process were followed in the case involving 36-year-old Charles Antwi, who was convicted after he attempted to assassinate President Mahama.

Charles Antwi was arrested by the Bureau of National Investigation for carrying a gun to the Ringway Gospel Central branch of the Assemblies of God Church, where President Mahama and his family fellowship.

He was subsequently jailed 10 years without a lawyer representing him in court, which raised public criticism of the trial judge for violating the suspect’s constitutional rights.

Human rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu went to court and appealed to set aside the sentencing of his client. Charles Antwi was freed and referred to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital following an appeal filed by the Attorney-General and Francis Xavier Sosu at the Human Rights Court.

Addressing the annual Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference, the Asantehene said although the declared intention of the act, if carried out, would have been horrendous, “there was a small matter of due process”.

According to him, it is not for nothing that the rule of law provides for due process for which guilty and innocent, right or wrong, are determined, since it is that which guarantees equality before the law.

He congratulated Francis for consolidating the rule of law and due process by ensuring that Charles Antwi’s fundamental human rights were not unduly curtailed.