21 democracy hub protesters granted bail; two others denied bail
21 democracy hub protestors have been granted bail while Oliver Barker-Vomawor has been denied bail. This follows an appeal filed by lawyers against a circuit court decision remanding 53 protestors into police and prison custody.
The accused were grouped into two sets, with two different courts handling each set.
The first was made up of Ama Governor and eight others. The other eight are Ama Governor Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kobina Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie and Sadik Yakubu.
All nine were granted bail to the tune of Ghc 70,000 with two sureties each. They are to report once to the police in a week and deposit their Ghana cards at the court registry.
Even though the state opposed the bail application, the judge granted the plea of lawyers of the accused persons.
The second set included Oliver Barker Vormawor and 12 others. The judge granted bail to 12 of them including Felicity Nelson but denied Oliver Barker Vormawor bail.
The court however directed the Circuit court to commence prosecution within 72 hours, failure of which Barker-Vormawor may be granted bail.
The court took this decision because Oliver Barker Vormawor was already on bail for Treason Felony charges, when he allegedly committed the offences during the democracy hub protest.
The Judge was concerned whether Oliver Barker Vormawor would commit another offence when granted bail.
His lawyer, Justice Srem Sai had argued however that the concern of the court should rather be on whether the accused will stand trial when granted bail.
He posited that it is clear Barker-Vormawor having made himself available for a treason felony trial for the past three years, will not run away from misdemeanor offences which are the basis for the instant application.
The judge however relied on section 96(5c) of the criminal Procedure ACT (ACT 30) which empowers the court to deny bail when it is satisfied that an accused person when released will commit another offence.
The other 12 were granted bail to the tune of Ghc 20,000 with two sureties
Meanwhile, appeal applications have been filed for the other 30 protestors who were remanded by the circuit court two weeks ago.
Source: citinewsroom
