By Joyce Danso
Accra, Sept. 26, GNA – Oliver Barker Vormawor, the Democracy Hub convenor, and 11 other protestors have been remanded in prison by an Accra Circuit Court.
After considering arguments from both defence lawyers and state prosecutors, the court decided not to grant bail to the accused.
The court noted that, despite concerns raised by defence lawyers regarding the welfare of the accused, they would remain in prison custody.
It also urged the state to address the medical needs of the accused and ensure they receive food and water while detained.
The court, led by Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah, instructed the prosecution to file the required documents and scheduled the next hearing for October 8, 2024.
The accused were brought before the court on September 25, 2024, where the defence made multiple arguments in favour of granting bail.
Eleven of the accused pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, engaging in offensive conduct to breach the peace, defacing public notices, and assaulting a police officer.
Barker-Vormawor, who was hospitalized yesterday, had his plea regarding these charges entered today.
He was also charged with theft, to which Barker-Vormawor pleaded not guilty along with the other charges.
A team of lawyers argued that many of the accused were not present at the scene but were apprehended by the police.
The lawyers stated that some of the accused were unwell and needed to be taken to the hospital, while others were not receiving attention from the police.
They claimed that the accused had been denied food and water for several days.
Defence lawyers requested bail for the accused, asserting they had reliable sureties and established places of residence.
However, state attorney Nana Akosua Kusi opposed the bail application, arguing that some of the accused lacked fixed addresses.
The state attorney noted that some of the accused had refused to provide their full names to the police, raising concerns that they might not appear for trial if granted bail.
The prosecution pointed out that Barker-Vormawor, for example, was already facing a felony charge at the High Court and had been granted bail in March of this year, but continued to commit other offenses while out on bail
The prosecution argued that the accused are part of a group of protesters who, on July 9, 2024, notified the police about their intention to hold a protest called “Wetaya: Reoccupy Jubilee House Demonstration.”
The letter requested police support for security and protection during the planned demonstration.
The court was informed that the group planned to protest at Revolutionary Square, across from the Jubilee House.
The prosecution siad that after multiple meetings with the police, the group was advised to suggest an alternative venue, as the selected location was deemed a security zone and posed a risk to public order, potentially leading to violence or endangering public safety.
The prosecution stated that a High Court order dated September 18, 2024, prohibited the group from holding their planned demonstration at Revolutionary Square.
The police then informed the group’s convenor and suggested seven alternative locations for the protest to maintain public order.
However, the group rejected the proposed venues and chose to protest at the 37 Roundabout, which the police also rejected.
On September 21, 2024, the group began their protest at the 37 Roundabout, insisting on proceeding to Revolutionary Square.
The police set up barricades around the roundabout to maintain security and prevent the demonstrators from advancing to the square.
The prosecution said the demonstration immediately became chaotic, with the accused blocking major roads with stones and vehicles, hindering access at the roundabout.
This led to severe traffic congestion on Liberation Road, El Wak Stadium, Kawukudi Road, and surrounding areas, causing significant delays and frustration for commuters.
The prosecution stated that the accused also tore down billboards and set fire to 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,” it said.
On September 22, 2024, the accused again used vehicles to block major roads.
The police intervened to remove the vehicles for smoother traffic flow, but the accused strongly resisted their attempts to tow them away.
The first accused, Barker-Vormawor, was observed forcefully entering the police towing van, turning off the engine without permission, and removing the ignition key.
That act prevented the police from towing away the vehicle blocking the public roads.
He then fled with the key from the police.
GNA