Oliver Barker Vormewor, the Convenor of Democracy Hub, anti galamsey protest group, has been denied bail by an Accra High Court.
The High Court, after listening to a motion for bail pending trial, held that Vormewor, a lawyer, would commit further offences when granted bail.
The court presided over by Justice Ayitey Armah -Tetteh has however ordered the Circuit Court to commence trial within 72 hours.
Failure to do so, the High Court said it would consider Vormewor’s bail.
Meanwhile, 12 others, whose lawyers filed motions for bail pending trial, have been granted bail in the sum of GHC20,000 each with two sureties each.
The Court said their bail was subject to the provision of their digital addresses and verification of those addresses by the prosecution.
The Twelve accused persons’ lawyers took turns to move motions for bail pending trial.
Dr Justice Srem Sai, defence counsel for Vormewor, earlier told the Court that bail should not be used as punishment.
He said his client who was being held on a charge of treason for the past three years, would never run away from a charge of misdemeanor.
Defence counsel said there was overwhelming evidence to show that Vormewor would appear to stand trial.
Meanwhile, Ama Governor, a lawyer, and eight others have been admitted to bail in the sum of GHC70,000 each with two sureties by the Court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame.
The Court ordered the accused persons to be reporting to the Police once a week.
The State represented by Amanda Awadi opposed to the motion for bail pending trial adding, “we have filed an affidavit in opposition to the application.”
The Ghana Police Service arrested 53 protestors who allegedly engaged in acts of lawlessness during a three-day anti- galamsey protest in Accra on September 21, 2024.
Accused persons were arraigned before two different Circuit Courts and remanded to reappear on October 8 and 11, 2024.
In all, 21 accused persons have been granted bail by the High Court. Lawyers are expected to pursue bail applications at the High Court for the remaining 31 accused persons currently in lawful custody,
Source: GNA
