The High Court has refused to grant bail to Oliver Barker Vormawor, a lead figure in the Democracy Hub protest while granting GH₵20,000 bail to Felicity Nelson and four other co-accused.
The court’s ruling also directed the Circuit Court to begin prosecution within 72 hours, warning that failure to do so could result in reconsideration of Vormawor’s bail.
The denial of bail for Barker Vormawor stems from his prior release on bail for treason felony charges when the Democracy Hub protest-related offences allegedly occurred.
The presiding judge voiced concerns that releasing him on bail might lead to further offences, citing the Criminal Procedure Act, section 96(5c), which allows courts to deny bail if there is a reasonable fear that the accused will commit another crime.
Barker Vormawor’s legal representative, Justice Srem Sai, argued that the court’s primary concern should be whether the accused would stand trial if granted bail, highlighting Vormawor’s consistent court appearances over the past three years in his treason case.
Srem Sai argued that his client would not evade trial for the comparatively lesser misdemeanours in the current case.
Despite these points, the court stood by its decision, maintaining that the risk of potential re-offending justified denying Vormawor’s bail request.
Meanwhile, Felicity Nelson and four other individuals involved in the same case were granted bail under less restrictive conditions.
The court’s decision comes after Ama Governor and eight other protesters were each granted GH₵70000 bail.