Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, Felicity Nelson, and 11 other protesters involved in the Democracy Hub demonstration have been remanded into police custody after their hearing was adjourned by Circuit Court 6.
The court session was postponed to Thursday, September 26, to allow the prosecution time to respond to the defendants’ bail applications.
The hearing presided over by His Honour Kwabena Obiri Yeboah, was briefly adjourned for 30 minutes to give the State prosecutor time to formally serve the defense lawyers.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty to six charges, face accusations ranging from conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct, and defacement of public notices.
Barker-Vormawor (A1) and Fanny Otoo (A9) were absent due to medical treatment at the Ghana Police Hospital. The remaining seven defendants were present and pleaded not guilty.
The 11 protesters include Cedric Bansah (A2), Michael Amofa (A3), Emmanuel Ofei (A4), Nii Ayi (A5), Fred Boateng (A6), and Deportee Iddrisu Yusif (A7), among others.
This latest remand brings the total number of protesters in custody to 52, with one protester facing a bench warrant. These arrests were made during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstrations, which took place between September 21 and 23.
Bail Application
Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, counsel for Barker-Vormawor, Nelson, and Bansah, argued for bail, highlighting Barker-Vormawor’s medical needs due to hypertension and requesting that he be released for proper treatment. He also emphasized that Bansah, a 24-year-old software engineer with strong family ties to law enforcement, should be granted bail as a law-abiding citizen. Regarding Felicity Nelson, Srem-Sai stressed her role as a journalist and mother, arguing that she poses no flight risk.
Other defense lawyers also submitted bail requests for their clients, while the prosecution, represented by Senior State Attorney Nana Akosua Kusi, provided medical reports for the two absent accused individuals.
Case Background
The prosecution’s brief outlined that the accused were part of a group protesting under the banner of Democracy Hub, which had notified the police of their intention to hold a “Reoccupy Julorbi House” demonstration in July 2024. The group sought to protest near the Jubilee House, but after meetings with the police, they were advised to choose an alternative location, as the area was deemed a security zone.
Despite a court order prohibiting the demonstration at Revolutionary Square, the group proceeded with the protest at the 37-roundabout on September 21, 2024. The police erected barricades to prevent the protesters from reaching the square. The protest escalated, with demonstrators allegedly blocking roads, pulling down billboards, and burning electoral posters, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the surrounding areas.
The prosecution further claimed that Barker-Vormawor, specifically, interfered with police efforts by forcefully entering a police towing van, turning off the engine, and removing the ignition key, thereby preventing officers from towing vehicles blocking the roads.
The case is set to continue on Thursday, September 25, with further arguments on the bail applications and charges.
