The Ashaiman District Court was compelled to adjourn the treason case of #FixTheCountry Convener Oliver Barker-Vormawor to 26 April.
It was after the prosecution led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Slyvester Asare pleaded with the court for an adjournment to put their house in order.
A not-too-happy judge Eleanor Kakra Barnes-Botchway expressed worry over the prosecution’s constant request for adjournment.
The presiding judge warned that she would be compelled to take steps on the case if the prosecution continues to drag its feet.
The judge warned that she would not tolerate such conduct.
“I want to see seriousness in this case. I will not countenance this attitude. If at the next date this happens again, the court will advise itself,” she said prior to Tuesday’s hearing.
The court also observed that Mr Barker-Vormawor’s Bill of Indictment had not been presented before it.
It consequently, adjourned the matter to 26 April 2022, believing that all outstanding concerns would be addressed by then.
The youth activist is currently on a bail of GH¢2 million bail sum. He is also expected to report to the police once a week.
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.
Mr Barker-Vormawor has been charged with a treason felony, but he pleaded not guilty.