Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the activist and convener of the Democracy Hub, has once again been denied bail by an Accra High Court following his arrest during a recent anti-galamsey protest.
Mr Barker-Vormawor was among demonstrators voicing opposition to illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, which poses significant environmental risks to Ghana.
According to police reports, Mr Barker-Vormawor was arrested for engaging in illegal activities during the protest, though details of the alleged misconduct remain under investigation.
He was captured during the protest removing the keys to a police van that had parked.
The court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame, denied his bail application, citing the need for further investigation and concerns about the possibility of public unrest if he were released.
According to the judge, Oliver is already standing trial on treason charges, hence there’s no assurance that he will not commit another offence if he is granted bail.
His legal team argued that his detention violated his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, pointing out that the protests were non-violent and intended to raise awareness about the harm caused by illegal mining.
Meanwhile, the Court has granted bail to another protester, Felicity Nelson bail to the tune of 20,000 cedis and two sureties.
While Barker-Vormawor remains in custody, up to 12 other protesters have been granted bail with varying terms, adding further complexity to the case and its implications for civil rights and environmental advocacy in Ghana.
