Lead Convenor of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Baker-Vormawor finds himself in a very dire legal situation, according to constitutional lawyer, Kwame Owusu Adofo.
He explained that the case of the activist has become particularly challenging due to the fresh charges levelled against him for his involvements in the recent 3-day protest, while he is still standing trial for treason.
As a result, he is not eligible for another bail, the lawyer said.
In a post shared on social media by Onua FM on Friday, September 27, 2024, he described Baker-Vormawor's situation as challenging.
He stated, "Oliver Barker-Vormawor's situation is more severe. According to the law, if someone commits another offense while on bail, they are not eligible for another bail."
Oliver is one of the 13 people charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on public officer, and defacement of public property
following a three-day protest which turned chaotic, leading to the arrest of several demonstrators.
According to the prosecution, Barker-Vormawor in particular was seen forcefully entering a police towing van and without authorization, turned off the engine and removed the ignition key to the towing van.
“This action demobilized the police to tow away the vehicle that the accused persons had used to block the public roads,” the prosecution led by Nana Akosua Kusi told the court.
The court presided over by Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah remanded in police custody, the accused persons who have denied the charges.
Barker-Vormawor was arrested in February 2023 for allegedly threatening to stage a coup after the government passed the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).
His arrest followed a post he allegedly made on a social media platform to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E-Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.
The bail conditions were set at GH¢2 million with 2 sureties, one of whom was to deposit documents to his landed property.
In February 2024, he marked the two years anniversary of being under National Security Operatives for his, "I will organsise a coup comment on social media."
According to him, the state has not been able to present an iota of truth and there is no indication of the trial coming to an end.
"Two years ago today, news broke that Regime security had arrested me at the Airport the night prior. Unknown to many the fact of my arrest had actually been promised me by the National Security Minister when I refused to accept the Government’s offer of money for me to walk away from #FixTheCountry.
“He made it clear that the Government will do everything to ease the President’s irrational fear that we were seeking his overthrow. 2 years on, the Government has failed to produce an iota of evidence to match the military fanfare and propaganda they released to justify my unlawful detention,” he wrote.
He added, “2 years on, we are no closer to a trial date, to try me for my Treason. 2 years on, we are no closer to a Republic of Justice nor equity.”
A Tema High Court, in April 2022, granted him bail pending the outcome of his trial.
JKB/AE
Watch the latest episode of Everyday People on GhanaWeb TV below: