The High Court in Accra has directed that the trial of leading member of the Democracy Hub Oliver Barker-Vormawor at the Circuit Court be commenced within 72 hours.
This was when the Court presided over by Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh was giving reasons to decline an application for bail filed by Barker-Vormawor, who has been detained together with some others for charges including unlawful assembly.
Justice Armah-Tetteh while refusing bail said the applicant (Barker-Vormawor) is currently standing trial in another court for another offence while on bail.
The Court said, though the question is not about whether Barker-Vormawor will be available to stand trial, the consideration is whether he may not commit another offence when granted bail.
While refusing him bail, the presiding judge said, the Circuit Court should commence the trial of Oliver Barker-Vormawor within 72 hours, failure for which bail maybe considered for him.
Meanwhile Felicity Nelson, another of the accused had her bail application granted by the court.
She was admitted to bail in the sum of GHc20, 000 with two sureties. The Court said prosecution should verify her place of abode.
Other accused persons including Cedric Bansah, Michael Amofa, Emmanuel Offei, Nii Ayi, Fred Boateng, Deportee Iddrisu Yusif, Wendell Yeboah, Samuel Samakor, Nana Amo Mensah Prempeh and Thomas Yeboah were all granted bail.
The Court presided over by Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh while considering the applications individually granted them bail in the sum of GHc20, 000 each.
The Court said each of them should produce two sureties while the police should verify their digital addresses.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that Benjamin Akuffo Darko, another of the leading members was granted bail.
Earlier, Elorm Ababio popularly known as Ama Governor and eight others – Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kobina, Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie
and Sadik Yakubu were all granted bail.
This means, 21 out of the 53 accused have been granted bail.
Background
The brief facts of the case as presented to the Court were that, the accused persons are part of a group of protesters.
And that on July 9, 2024, the Police Service received a notice from a group known as ‘Democracy Hub’ informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed “#Wetaya #ReoccupyJulorbihouse Demonstration.”
According to the Prosecution, by that letter, the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration.
The Prosecution state that, the group indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee House.
“After several meetings with the Police, the group was advised by the Police to propose an alternative venue as the chosen venue was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order and lead to violence or endanger public defence.
“By an order of the High Court dated 18th September, 2024, the group was prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary square,” the prosecution stated.
It added that, “The Police thus communicated to the convener of the group and suggested 7 different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order.”
“The group however rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 roundabout which was rejected by the Police.
“On 21st September, 2024 the group embarked on their protest and gathered around the 37-roundabout insisting to proceed to the revolutionary square.
“The Police mounted barricades around the 37 roundabouts in a bid to maintain security and order.
“The barricades restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary square,” the Prosecution stated.
Serious traffic
It stated that, “The demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused persons resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access at the roundabout.
“This caused serious traffic within the Liberation Road, the El walk stadium, the Kawukudi road and its environs.
“This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience and annoyance for commuters,” the facts stated.
Billboards
It is the case of the Prosecution that, the accused persons also “pulled down billboards and burnt electoral posters and flags of political parties.”
“Again, the suspects forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area obstructing the effort of the police to maintain peace and security.
“On 22nd September the accused persons again brought in vehicles to block the major roads.
“The police quickly moved in to remove the said vehicles for easy flow of traffic for commuters.
“The accused persons however fiercely resisted the attempt by the Police to tow away the vehicles,” the Prosecution stated.
“The 1st accused person in particular was seen forcefully entering the Police towing van and without authorization, turned off the engine and removed the ignition key to the towing van.
“This action demobilized the Police to tow away the vehicle that the accused persons had used to block the public roads. The 1st accused person thereafter bolted with the key to the Police van,” the prosecution told the Court.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
