Barker Vormawor Granted Bail

Social activist Oliver Barker Vormawor has finally secured bail after unsuccessful attempts within the last two weeks.

The Accra High Court granted him bail to the tune of 20,000 cedis with two sureties on October 16, 2024.

It comes after his legal team, led by Justice Srem Sai re-applied for bail on his behalf arguing that the Prosecution had failed to commence prosecution within 72 hours as directed by the High Court.

The team also highlighted his health condition to request for the bail.

Barker, a leader of Democracy Hub- a pressure group- was arrested on September 23 after he was declared wanted by the police.

His arrest alongside 53 others followed their three-day demonstration against illegal mining in the country.

In a statement issued upon his arrest, the police said he had engaged in various “unlawful acts” during the protest in Accra.

According to a separate statement by the police, the demonstrators unlawfully assembled at the 37 Intersection and attacked Police officers performing their lawful duties.

It said they entered a Police vehicle, removed the ignition key and threw it away, pushing down Police crash barriers, “obstructing traffic, causing unlawful damage, and disturbing the peace among others”.

The arrested protesters were arraigned and charged at the Accra Circuit Court two weeks ago, where they were denied bail. However, the Accra High Court last week granted an application for bail for 53 of them leaving Barker.

This compelled Democracy Hub to release a statement accusing the government of using the judiciary to punish the activist.

Source:opemsuo.com