The Accra Circuit Court has denied Elorm Ababio, widely known as Ama Governor, permission to travel outside Ghana.
Ama Governor is among the Democracy Hub demonstrators arrested and charged with offenses such as unlawful assembly and unlawful damage under the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29) due to alleged illegal activities during the protest.
On Friday, October 11, 2024, during the trial, Ama Governor’s lawyer requested additional time to file necessary documents and sought the court’s approval for her to travel abroad for an engagement scheduled between Sunday, October 13, 2024, and Friday, October 18, 2024. The lawyer also asked the court to dismiss the charge of assault against her client.
However, State Attorney Amanda Awadi, representing the prosecution, opposed the travel request, stating they had not received formal notification regarding the application.
Presiding Judge Evelyn Asamoah ruled in favor of the prosecution, stating that Ama Governor’s legal team had not filed a proper application for the travel request. She encouraged them to do so in the future.
Additionally, Judge Asamoah instructed the prosecution to submit all outstanding witness statements and adjourned the case until October 30.
Previously, an Accra High Court had granted bail to nine protesters, including Ama Governor, who were arrested during a three-day demonstration organized by the Democracy Hub under the hashtags #ReOccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamsey, which took place from September 21 to September 23, 2024. According to journalist Kwaku Asante, the state prosecutors had opposed the bail decision at that time.
“An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame has granted bail to Ama Governor and 8 others to the tune of GHC70k and two sureties. They are also to report to the police once a week.
“When the application for bail was moved, State Prosecutors opposed it,” he wrote.
The journalist also mentioned that additional hearings are scheduled for some of the other arrested protesters in different courts.
“This application is in respect of Ama Governor, Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip, Owusu Kobina, Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie and Sadik Yakubu.
“There will be another application in a different court. We await the ruling of the Court,” he added.
Ama Governor was one of 53 protesters arrested in late September, who were later presented before the Accra High Court and remanded into police custody for two weeks.