The Accra High Court has denied bail to Oliver Barker Vormawor, a leading member of Democracy Hub.
In his bail application, the lead attorney for Barker Vormawor, Dr Justice Srem Sai told the court his client had an identified place of residence and was not a flight risk.
But Oliver ran against a problem with the judge hearing the matter.
Barker Vormawor was already undergoing trial for a treason felony charge, he reminded the attorneys.
He also expressed doubts about the Democracy Hub head showing up in court.
In his defense, however, Dr Srem Sai clarified that since his client did not abscond while on a felony accusation, nothing prevented him from resurfacing before the court.
“For a man who hasn’t run away on a charge of treason how will he run away on a charge of misdemeanor?
The ultimate concern is whether he will show up for the trial. The overwhelming evidence will be that he has been available for the charge of treason for the past three years; he will make himself available for the current charges, Dr. Justice Srem Sai observed.
The prosecution was not opposed since officials from the Attorney-General’s office missed court.
Following the arguments, the court turned down Oliver Barker Vormawor’s bail application. The judge instructed the Circuit Court to start Vormawor’s trial 72 hours from now.
Oliver Barker Vormawor might be granted bail, the court said, should the Circuit Court fail to act in this manner.
Five additional people, including Felicity Nelson, were given a bail of GHc20, 000 nevertheless.
