Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the Democracy Hub, has had his bail application denied once again by an Accra High Court following his recent arrest during an anti-galamsey protest.
Justice Comfort Tasiame, presiding over the case, determined that releasing Barker-Vormawor could potentially incite public unrest due to his prior charges and the ongoing investigations into his conduct.
Barker-Vormawor was arrested during a demonstration opposing illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, which poses significant environmental threats to Ghana. Police reports indicate he was apprehended for alleged unlawful actions during the protest, including an incident where he was seen removing keys from a parked police vehicle. The specifics of the alleged misconduct are still under investigation.
In her decision, Justice Tasiame noted that Barker-Vormawor is currently facing treason charges, raising concerns about his likelihood of committing further offenses if granted bail.
Barker-Vormawor’s legal representatives contended that his ongoing detention violates his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, emphasizing that the protest was peaceful and intended to highlight the risks associated with illegal mining.
While Barker-Vormawor remains in custody, other protesters, such as Felicity Nelson, have been granted bail. Nelson was released on a 20,000 cedis bail with two sureties. Additionally, Ama Governor and eight others have also received bail, each set at 70,000 cedis.
