Convener of #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker Vormawor, has refused to plead to new charges levelled against him in his treason felony case.
On Thursday, June 1, the prosecution presented an amended charge sheet before the court, but after it was read, the youth activist chose not to respond.
He invoked Section 238 of Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences Act, which gives him the right to decline to plead to the charges against him.
According to the section, if an accused person stands mute of malice or is unable to answer the indictment, the court may, at its discretion, enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of the accused.
This plea has the same effect as if the accused had entered it themselves. Alternatively, the court may proceed to determine the accused’s mental soundness or unsoundness and follow the appropriate procedures accordingly.
In this case, the court entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf for both counts of treason felony.
The court has adjourned proceedings to June 7 to empanel the jury.
Barker-Vormawor’s legal team, led by Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has also filed a motion requesting the release of their client’s passport, which will be considered on the same day.
He is currently on bail.
The Ashaiman District Court had earlier committed him for trial at the High Court on August 1, 2022, for the two counts of treason felony.