Oliver Barker-Vormawor and 11 others have been placed in police custody after their legal team failed to persuade Judge Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah to grant them bail.
The Circuit Court remanded Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Cederic Bansah, Michael Amofo, Emmanuel Offei, Nii Ayi, Fred Boateng, Deportee Iddrisa Yusif, Wendele, Fanny Otoo, Samuel Samakor, Felicity Nelson, Nana Amo Mensah Prempeh and Thomas Yeboah after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The charges include conspiracy, unlawful assembly, assault on a police officer, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct likely to breach the peace, theft and defacement of a public notice.
All the accused individuals are reported to be members of the pressure group, Democracy Hub Protesters.
As of now, Fanny Otoo, the ninth accused (A9), has not appeared in court, due to his admission to the police hospital.
They were remanded yesterday after State Attorney, Nana Akusua Kusi, opposed the bail application, leading to a tense argument among the lawyers.
The arrest and prosecution of Oliver and others follows a notification from Democracy Hub to the Police Service regarding their planned demonstration titled “We Taya: Reoccupy Jubilee House.”
The group requested police support for the event, set to take place at Revolutionary Square, opposite Jubilee House.
However, following consultations, the Police advised the group to consider alternative venues due to security concerns and the potential for public disorder.
On September 18, 2024 a High Court order prohibited the protest at the originally designated location.
In response, the Police offered seven alternative sites for the demonstration, but the group rejected these suggestions, opting instead to hold the protest at the 37 Roundabout.
The protest began on September 21, but quickly escalated as demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades, leading to chaotic scenes.
Protesters blocked major roads with stones and vehicles, causing significant traffic disruptions across Liberation Road and surrounding areas.
Reports indicated that demonstrators vandalized property, including billboards and electoral materials.
Tensions rose further on September 22 when protesters obstructed roadways once again, prompting police intervention.
During the clashes, the first accused allegedly entered a police towing van, disabled it and fled with the ignition key, complicating efforts to restore order.
