Oliver Barker-Vomawor has been denied release, but 21 demonstrators from the Democracy Hub have been granted bail. This is in response to an appeal that lawyers filed against a circuit court ruling that remanded 53 demonstrators into the custody of law enforcement and prison.
Two sets of accused were formed, and each set was handled by two separate courts.
Ama Governor and eight other people comprised the first group. Ama Governor Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kobina Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie, and Sadik Yakubu are the remaining eight.
A GHC 70,000 bond with two sureties was given to each of the nine defendants. They are required to turn in their Ghana cards at the court registry and report to the police once a week.
Even though the state opposed the bail application, the judge granted the plea of lawyers of the accused persons.
The second set included Oliver Barker Vormawor and 12 others. The judge granted bail to 12 of them including Felicity Nelson but denied Oliver Barker Vormawor bail.
The court however directed the Circuit court to commence prosecution within 72 hours, failure of which Barker-Vormawor may be granted bail.
The court took this decision because Oliver Barker Vormawor was already on bail for Treason Felony charges, when he allegedly committed the offences during the democracy hub protest.
The judge was worried that after being given bail, Oliver Barker Vormawor might conduct another crime.
But Justice Srem Sai, his lawyer, had contended that the court’s real concern had to be whether the accused will be able to face trial after being given bail.
With respect to the misdemeanour offences that form the basis of the immediate application, he contended that it is evident Barker-Vormawor will not escape justice after declaring himself available for a treason felony trial for the previous three years.
The criminal procedure act (ACT 30), section 96(5c) on which the judge relied, gives the court the authority to refuse bail where it is convinced that the accused, upon release, will commit another crime. ‶
Two sureties and GHC 20,000 in bail were given to the remaining 12.
Meanwhile, appeal applications have been filed for the other 30 protestors who were remanded by the circuit court two weeks ago.
Source: Citinewsroom