20 Democracy Hub protestors granted bail

Justice Agbenorsi Oct - 08 - 2024 , 09:57

The Accra High Court has granted bail to 20 members of the Democracy Hub, the group accused of holding an unlawful assembly in Accra.

That was after lawyers for the accused persons filed a bail application at two different divisions of the High Court in Accra yesterday.

The Criminal Division of the High Court presided over by Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame admitted nine of the accused persons to bail in the sum of GH¢70,000 each with two sureties.

Eleven other accused persons were admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 each with two sureties by the General Jurisdiction Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh.

Meanwhile, one of the leaders of the group, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has been denied bail.

Justice Armah-Tetteh said he was not convinced that the accused person would not commit another offence if granted bail.

“How am I convinced that the accused will not commit another crime since he is on bail for another offence?” the judge asked the lawyer of the accused, Justice Srem Sai.

The nine accused persons who were earlier granted bail were Ama Governor, Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu and Oheneba Prempeh.

The rest are Philip Owusu Kobina, Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie and Sadik Yakubu.

The other 11 are Felicity Nelson, Cedric Bansah, Michael Amofa, Emmanuel Offei, Nii Ayi, Fred Boateng and Deportee Iddrisu Yusif.

The rest are Wendell Yeboah, Samuel Samakor, Nana Amo Mensah Prempeh and Thomas Yeboah.

The 20 accused persons are part of 53 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.

Barker-Vormawor is the only accused person charged with an extra count of stealing at the Circuit Court where the accused persons originally appeared in September this year.

He has been accused of forcefully entering a police towing van without authority and removing the ignition key.

Prosecution 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 September 18, 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 Roundabout 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 Wak 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.