Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the prominent activist and convener of the Democracy Hub, has been denied bail by an Accra High Court following his arrest during a recent anti-galamsey protest.
The court’s decision comes as part of ongoing tensions surrounding illegal mining activities in Ghana, which pose significant environmental threats.
During the protest, Mr. Barker-Vormawor was apprehended for allegedly engaging in illegal activities, including removing keys from a police van.
The presiding judge, Justice Comfort Tasiame, cited the need for further investigation and expressed concerns over public safety if he were released.
Notably, Mr. Barker-Vormawor is already facing treason charges, leading the court to question the likelihood of him committing further offenses if granted bail.
His legal team argued that his detention infringes upon his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, asserting that the protests were intended to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of illegal mining.
Despite these arguments, the court upheld its decision to deny bail.
In contrast, other protesters involved in the same demonstrations have been granted bail, raising questions about the consistency of judicial decisions in such cases.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Diana Asonaba Dapaah has publicly questioned the rationale behind calls for the release of arrested protesters.
She is emphasizing that while peaceful protests are a constitutional right, they should not infringe on the rights of others.
