Barker-V is a flight risk- AG, denied bail
Attorney General has argued that with no permanent place of residence in Ghana, #FixTheCountry Convenor Oliver Barker-Vormawor is a flight risk and could escape trial if granted bail.
Attorney General has opposed the bail application made by lawyers for the convener of #Fix The Country Movement, Oliver Barker Vormawor thus praying the Tema High Court to refuse same.
Per the affidavit in opposition deposed to by an Attorney of the Office of the Attorney-General, Anastacia Karimu, the AG indicates that the applicant has no fixed place of abode within Ghana thus making him a flight risk and per the nature of the offense and the punishment which conviction will entail, he is not likely to appear to stand trial if granted bail.
Also, the state disagrees and denies all averments contained in the applicant’s affidavit in support of the application and indicates its opposition to the motion for bail pending trial.
Further, it notes that per investigations, the applicant has since 2021 been inciting his social media followers to effect by an unlawful means the overthrow of the constitutionally elected government through a number of Social media posts.
Moreover, it states that the applicant’s conduct revealed a systematic pattern to incite his social media followers into accepting his endeavor to usurp the constitutional organs of Government.
Additionally, the AG notes that contrary to paragraph 7 of the applicant’s affidavit in support, evidence gathered so far by the police can sustain a charge of Treason felony.
Furthermore, it indicates that the applicant has not been cooperating with the police and that he had denied the Police access to his phone despite an order of the District Court.
Also, the AG states that the applicant has no fixed place of abode within Ghana thus making him a flight risk and per the nature of the offense and the punishment which conviction will entail, he is not likely to appear to stand trial if granted bail.
In addition, the Attorney General notes that investigations are not yet concluded, and by the applicant’s conduct, he has shown that he will interfere or hamper investigations if granted bail thus prays the court to refuse the application for bail pending trial.
Lawyers for Oliver Barker Vormawor are set to move an application for bail at the Tema High Court today, March 10, 2022, to secure bail for their client.
Background
Oliver has been charged with Treason Felony after he was arrested on February 11, 2022, at the Kotoka International Airport upon his return to Ghana from the United Kingdom.
According to a February 12 post by the Ghana Police Service, Oliver was arrested by the “Tema Regional Command following a post he allegedly made on the social media platform to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E.Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.”
The Police further noted that the post by Oliver Barker-Vormawor 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.
Source: africaneditors.com
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