Barker-Vormawor finally granted bail after 33 days in police custody

Convener of #FixTheCountry Movement Oliver Barker-Vormawor has finally been granted bail by the Tema High Court after 33 days in police custody.

He was granted a bail of GH¢2 million with two sureties, one of whom should deposit documents to their landed property at the court.

The youth activist, charged with treason felony, must report to the police once a week.

The court directed that Mr Barker-Vormawor’s passport should also remain in the custody of the state.

The presiding judge, Daniel Mensah, ruled that the court cannot disable itself from the grant of bail regarding the facts of the case and the legal arguments urged upon him by counsels for Mr Vormawor, and the state.

The youth activist, in his affidavit, promised to submit himself to the court processes.

“I will make myself readily available to go through the present criminal proceedings and, as I have done, continue to fully cooperate with any investigations which this criminal process may entail,” he assured.

Background

The accused was arrested on 11 February 2022 by the Tema Regional Police Command following a post he allegedly made on social media to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if Parliament passed the controversial Electronic Levy (E-Levy) Bill.

“The post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic of Ghana,” the police statement dated 12 February 2022, signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori said.

After his post, a section of Ghanaians who found his comments distasteful poured out on social media to call the Ghana Police Service to arrest him.

He was arraigned on Monday, 14 February 2022, and has been on remand since his first Ashaiman District court appearance.

Mr Barker-Vormawor has been charged with a treason felony, but he pleaded not guilty.