Bail for Oliver Barker: Court adjourns hearing to March 14
This was after the applicant’s legal team led by Akoto Ampaw requested for a short adjournment to study the AG’s affidavit in opposition.
The Tema High Court has adjourned the bail hearing for convener for #Fix The Country Movement, Oliver Barker Vormawor to Monday, March 14, 2022.
Lawyers for Oliver Barker were expected to move the bail application on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
However, on arriving at the court, the legal team led by Akoto Ampaw indicated that his side would need a short adjournment in order to study the Attorney General’s affidavit in opposition and respond if necessary.
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.
The Tema High Court has thus adjourned the bail hearing to Monday, March 14, 2022, per the request by lawyers for Oliver Barker.
The Applicant, Oliver Barker though unwell was present in court today but sources indicate that he has been taken back to the Police Hospital where he is receiving treatment.
