An Accra High Court has refused to grant bail to one of the leaders of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Baker-Vormawor, who organised a recent three-day protest to draw attention to the impact of illegal mining activities, urging the government to take swift action.
The court, presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame, denied his bail application, citing the need for further investigation and concerns about the possibility of public unrest if he is released.
Oliver is currently standing bail for treason, and for that reason he cannot be granted bail for another offence, the judge noted.
His legal team has argued that his detention violates his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, that the protests were non-violent and intended to raise awareness about the negative impact of illegal mining.
The information of his bail denial was shared by Kwaku Asante on social media app X on Monday, October 7, 2024.
It 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 offense if granted bail?”.
Barker-Vormawor was arrested alongside 53 other people charged with unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a public officer, and offensive conduct conducive to breaching the peace on Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, at the 37 Intersection in Accra during the protest against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.
He was captured during the protest removing the keys to a police van that had parked.
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