Barker-Vormawor Denied Bail After Arrest During Anti-Galamsey Protests, Judge Cites Treason Trial

• Oliver Barker-Vormawor has been denied bail after his arrest in connection with the anti-illegal mining protests
• He faces charges of conspiracy to commit unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, and also offensive conduct
• Nelson Noble Amedewonu, a lawyer for the protesters, confirmed to YEN.com.gh that 21 people had been granted bail in all

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The Accra High Court has denied bail to Oliver Barker-Vormawor after his arrest in connection with the anti-illegal mining protests.

The judge hearing the case said he was not convinced Barker-Vormawor would not commit another offence if granted bail, noting that he is currently facing treason charges.

Barker-Vormawor was among the 53 people charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on a public officer, and defacement of public property.

Police had said they were on a manhunt for him after some acts of defiance during the protest, which included him disrupting the towing of a protestor vehicle.

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Barker-Vormawor had been hospitalised in the course of his legal ordeal after reporting himself to police after the anti-illegal mining protests between September 21 and September 23.

According to Asaase Radio, other detained protesters have started being granted bail after spending more than two weeks in custody.

Nelson Noble Amedewonu, a lawyer for the protesters, confirmed to YEN.com.gh that 21 people had been granted bail in all. He also noted that one other person, Fann Otoo, was denied bail.

"She and Oliver were sick, so they did not come to court [when the others were first arraigned],” he explained. "Twenty people will be taken to court tomorrow in the morning."

Reaction to arrests of anti-galamsey protesters

Protests were held between October 3 and 5 to demand the release of the protestors in addition to piling pressure on the government to act on illegal mining.

The hashtags #FreeTheCitizens and #SayNoToGalamsey have been used to rally more support for the protests.

The police have been criticised for their handling of the anti-illegal mining protestors. Former President John Mahama, for example, described police conduct as heavy-handed and an abuse of human rights.

Over 40 persons were arrested and denied access to their lawyers until they were arraigned and remanded for two weeks.

Some of the arrested persons also said police officers assaulted them.

Police justified these arrests, saying the protestors sought to disturb the peace and had impeded traffic at the 37 intersections.

Attorney General defends decision to prosecute protesters

YEN.com.gh reported that the Attorney-General defended the government's decision to prosecute anti-galamsey miners.

Despite growing calls for their release, Godfred Dame said protesters must be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.

He said the anti-galamsey protesters had exceeded freedom of expression into conduct he described as unconstitutional.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

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Source: YEN.com.gh