The Accra High Court has reportedly granted bail to lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a leader of the Democracy Hub and organiser of the three-day #StopGalamsey protest.
Barker-Vormawor, one of approximately 53 members of the Democracy Hub arrested during the demonstration, held from September 21 to September 23, 2024, remained in police custody despite all the other demonstrators being granted bail.
According to TV3, Barker-Vormawor was granted bail on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. He was released on a GH¢20,000 bail with two sureties.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame, had previously denied Barker-Vormawor’s bail application on October 7, 2024, citing the need for further investigation and concerns about potential public unrest if he were released.
The judge noted that Barker-Vormawor was already standing trial for treason, which complicated his eligibility for bail on another charge.
His legal team argued that his continued detention violated his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, emphasizing that the protests were non-violent and aimed at raising awareness of the harmful effects of illegal mining.
The information regarding his earlier bail denial was shared by Kwaku Asante on the social media platform X on October 7, 2024. Asante stated, “The High Court has refused to grant Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Convenor of the protest, bail. According to the judge, Oliver is currently standing trial for treason, and what will be the assurance that he will not commit another offence if granted bail?”
Barker-Vormawor was arrested alongside 53 others on charges of unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a public officer, and offensive conduct conducive to breaching the peace. The arrests occurred on Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, at the 37 Intersection in Accra during the protest against illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
He was reportedly seen during the protest removing the keys from a police van that had been parked.
