Democracy Hub case: Oliver Barker-Vormawor charged with stealing

State attorneys have charged Oliver Barker-Vormawor, one of the accused persons in the Democracy Hub case, with stealing. 

He is one of 13 people charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on public officer, and defacement of public property.

According to the prosecution, Barker-Vormawor in particular was seen forcefully entering the Police towing van and without authorization, turned off the engine and removed the ignition key to the towing van. 

“This action demobilized the Police to tow away the vehicle that the accused persons had used to block the public roads,” the prosecution led by Nana Akosua Kusi told the court. 

The court presided over by Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah remanded in police custody, the accused persons who have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Remanding the accused person, the court ordered the police to ensure that the accused persons were fed twice daily with adequate medical facilities. 

Food

In their submission for bail, defence counsel argued that their clients were not flight risk, had fixed places of abode, were gainfully employed and had people of substance to stand sureties for them.

They further alleged that the police were starving their clients.

Opposing the bail application, a state attorney, Nana Akosua Kusi told the court that the police go to the extent of buying the accused person meals from Papaye.  

“The accused persons are being fed, the police go to the extent of buying them Papaye,” the state attorney told the court.

This was corroborated by Superintendent of Police Sylvester Asare, Head of Legal at the Ghana Police Service who told the court that he supervised the investigative team.

“When it comes to feeding, budget has been made for feeding. And I personally supervised the distribution of the food,” he added. 

But the defence counsel maintained that their clients were being starved by the police.

The state attorney told the court that none of the accused persons had demonstrated to the satisfaction of the court they meet the grounds to be granted bail. 

Prosecution’s facts 

Narrating the facts of the case, Ms Kusi told the court that on July 9 2024 the Police service received a notice from a group known as "Democracy Hub" informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed *#Wetaya #ReoccupyJulorbihouse Demonstration." 

She added that by that letter, the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration. 

The group, she said indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee House.

She added that after several meetings with the Police, the group was advised by the Police to propose an alternative venue as the chosen venue was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order and lead to violence or endanger public defence.

“By an order of the High Court dated 18" September, 2024, the group was prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary square. 

The Police thus communicated to the convener of the group and suggested seven  different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order. 

“The group however rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 roundabout which was rejected by the Police,” she said. 

On September 21, 2024 the state attorney said the group embarked on their protest and gathered around the 37-roundabout insisting to proceed to the revolutionary square. 

She said the  Police mounted barricades around the 37 roundabouts in a bid to maintain security and order. 

The barricades, she disclosed restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary square.

“The demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused persons resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access at the roundabout. 

“This caused serious traffic within the Liberation Road, the El walk stadium, the Kawukudi road and its environs.

This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience and annoyance for commuters,” she said. 

The accused persons, Ms Kusi said  also pulled down billboards and burnt electoral posters and flags of political parties adding, “Again, the suspects forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area obstructing the effort of the police to maintain peace and security”. 

On  September 22, she told the court that the accused persons again brought in vehicles to block the major roads. 

The police quickly moved in to remove the said vehicles for easy flow of traffic for commuters. 

The accused persons however fiercely resisted the attempt by the Police to tow away the vehicles.