Accra Circuit Court jails Gunman at President Mahama's Church 10 years 

The 36-year-old man who was arrested for wielding a loaded pistol at the Ringway Gospel Centre branch of the Assemblies of God Church in Accra has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Accra Circuit Court.

Charles Antwi confessed to a plot to assassinate the President and his family who worship at the Church. He told the court presided over by Justice Francis Obiri that he bought the gun he was to use for his crime from a Burkinabe in the Brong Ahafo region.

He told the packed court he has been to the Church four times to carry out his plot but on three occasions, the president was not present. He said on a single occasion that the President appeared in church he (Antwi) did not have a gun. 

He said last Sunday in which he was apprehended was his fourth visit to President Mahama’s church in an attempt to kill him. 

Asked why he wanted to assassinate the President, Antwi, unemployed, told the court that killing the President was his way of fighting for the nation. He claimed President Mahama was not ruling the country well, so he wanted to take over the Presidency.

He revealed to the court that a military personnel at the Osu Castle directed him to the President’s church at Ringway.

Justice Francis Obiri ruled that the convict was sane, has a predetermined mind to cause harm and capable of carrying out the attack. He advised the President's security to sit up.

Antwi was charged with unlawful possession of fire arms and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. He had no legal representation. Superintendent Francis Baah and ASP Abraham Annor prosecuted.

Charles Antwi, 36, was on Sunday arrested for carrying a "weapon" into a church where President John Dramani Mahama and his family worship.

Antwi was apprehended when a member of the congregation noticed his nervous and suspicious behaviour during the church service last Sunday.

According to the security source, a policeman and a member of the church escorted Antwi outside.

The loaded and cocked pistol was found following a search on him.

GBC