Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, Felicity Nelson and 11 more protesters who were arraigned in respect of the Democracy Hub demonstration have been remanded until September 26.
This was after the Circuit Court presided over by His Honour Kwabena Obiri Yeboah heard argument from defence lawyers after the accused persons pleaded not guilty to six counts.
The accused persons, except Oliver Barker-Vormawor and Fanny Otoo both absnet in court on health reasons, have pleaded not guilty to six charges.
The charges ranges from conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct to the breach of peace and defacement of public notice.
The 13 accused persons are – Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor (A1), absent, Cedric Bansah (A2), Michael Amofa (A3), Emmanuel Ofei, (A4), Nii Ayi , (A5), Fred Boateng, (A6), and
Deportee Iddrisu Yusif (A7).
The rest are – Wendele (A8), Fanny Otoo (A9), absent, Samuel Samakor, (A10), Felicity Nelson, (A11), Nana Amoh Mensah Prempeh (A12) and Thomas Yeboah (A13).
Bail application
Dr Justice Srem-Sai, Counsel representing Barker-Vormawor, A1, Felicity Nelson, A11, and Cedric Bansah, A2, while arguing for bail said, Oliver Barker-Vormawor for instance should be discharged from police custody so that he would be given adequate facility to heal and defend himself.
He also submitted that, the medical reports on Barker-Vormawor shows he is a known to be hypertensive and with this condition, he ought to be given proper medical care.
Dr Srem-Sai, said Barker-VORMAWOR, who was absent from court was not being tried in absentia and the proper procedure has not been invoked by the prosecution – which they should have done within the period when they realised the accused will not be in court.
On Bansah, the second accused, Dr Srem-Sai submitted that the accused who is a 24-year softwear engineer has persons of substance to stand as sureties for him.
Dr Srem-Sai also indicated that, his father was was a DSP of Police who passed in 2008 while his mother is ACP Charllot Owusu, show that he is a barracks boy who is a law abiding citizen.
Counsel argued that the charge of unlawful assembly was not supported by the facts of the case and same was “completely unfounded.”
For Felicity Nelson, the 11th Accused person, Dr Srem-Sai argued that, the 34-year-old Journalist is a mother of a-teenage-boy whose wellbeing is at stake.
Counsel submitted that the charge is a misdemeanor and wondered how an person of her calibre who is a person of substance would run away.
Counsel for the other accused persons – Chris Osei Yeboah, Benedict Nii-Okraku, Noah Odartey, Duke Aaron Sasu, Ibrahim Anyass, JB Afrifa and Nelson Noble, all made respective submissions for their clients.
EIB Network Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who said the sitting took over three hours said, the Court would on Thursday September 26, 2024 hear arguments from State Attorneys before making a decision on whether to grant bail or not.
Wednesday’s number of 13 makes the number makes the total protesters arraigned in Court to 52.
Meanwhile Nana Akosua Kusi, a Senior State Attorney who represented the State provided the Court with medical reports on the two accused persons who were absent.
Brief facts
The brief facts of the case as presented to the Court were that, the accused persons are part of a group of protesters.
And that on July 9, 2024, the Police Service received a notice from a group known as ‘Democracy Hub’ informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed “#Wetaya #ReoccupyJulorbihouse Demonstration.”
According to the Prosecution, by that letter, the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration.
The Prosecution state that, the group indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee House.
“After several meetings with the Police, the group was advised by the Police to propose an alternative venue as the chosen venue was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order and lead to violence or endanger public defence.
“By an order of the High Court dated 18th September, 2024, the group was prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary square,” the prosecution stated.
It added that, “The Police thus communicated to the convener of the group and suggested 7 different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order.”
“The group however rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 roundabout which was rejected by the Police.
“On 21st September, 2024 the group embarked on their protest and gathered around the 37-roundabout insisting to proceed to the revolutionary square.
“The Police mounted barricades around the 37 roundabouts in a bid to maintain security and order.
“The barricades restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary square,” the Prosecution stated.
Serious traffic
It stated that, “The demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused persons resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access at the roundabout.
“This caused serious traffic within the Liberation Road, the El walk stadium, the Kawukudi road and its environs.
“This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience and annoyance for commuters,” the facts stated.
Billboards
It is the case of the Prosecution that, the accused persons also “pulled down billboards and burnt electoral posters and flags of political parties.”
“Again, the suspects forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area obstructing the effort of the police to maintain peace and security.
“On 22nd September the accused persons again brought in vehicles to block the major roads.
“The police quickly moved in to remove the said vehicles for easy flow of traffic for commuters.
“The accused persons however fiercely resisted the attempt by the Police to tow away the vehicles,” the Prosecution stated.
“The 1st accused person in particular was seen forcefully entering the 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 1st accused person thereafter bolted with the key to the Police van,” the prosecution told the Court.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
