Oliver Barker Vormawor, the main organizer of the Democracy Hub protest, has been denied bail by the High Court; Felicity Nelson and the other four co-accused have been granted GH₵20,000 bail.
The court’s decision also ordered the Circuit Court to start the prosecution within 72 hours, with a warning that if this wasn’t done, Vormawor’s bail might be reevaluated.
Barker Vormawor’s previous release on bail for treason felony charges at the time of the alleged offenses connected to the Democracy Hub protest is the reason he is not being granted bail again.
The presiding judge, citing Criminal Procedure Act, section 96(5c), which permits courts to deny release if there is a legitimate fear that the accused would commit another crime, expressed worries that releasing him on bond might result in other offenses.
Barker Vormawor’s attorney, Justice Srem Sai, contended that given Vormawor’s regular court attendance during the previous three years in his treason case, the court’s main concern should be whether the accused would face trial if granted bail.
Srem Sai contended that his client would not avoid punishment for the relatively minor misdemeanors involved in this case.
Notwithstanding these arguments, the court upheld its ruling, stating that Vormawor’s bail request was denied due to the possibility of future offenses.
Felicity Nelson, meanwhile, was given bail with less stringent terms, as were four other individuals connected to the same crime.
The court’s ruling follows the GH₵70,000 bail granted to Ama Governor and eight other demonstrators.
