Thomas Yeboah, one of the protestors from the Democracy Hub anti-galamsey demonstration, remains in police custody despite being granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.
His continued detention is due to concerns about his coherence, which have complicated efforts to secure sureties for his release.
Yeboah’s lawyer, Nelson Noble Amedorwornu, informed the court that his client had been unable to find anyone willing to act as a surety due to his apparent lack of mental clarity. This revelation was made during a court hearing on Monday, where Yeboah appeared alongside Oliver Barker-Vormawor and 12 other demonstrators.
In response to the lawyer’s statement, the presiding judge, Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah, ordered the prosecution to arrange for a mental evaluation to determine Yeboah’s fitness for prosecution. The judge also instructed the prosecution to facilitate the execution of Yeboah’s bail as part of the court’s directives.
In addition to Yeboah’s case, another accused protestor, Fanny Otoo, had his plea taken after previously being absent. Otoo faces charges of offensive conduct, causing damage, and assaulting a public officer. He was granted bail during the session.
State Attorney Nana Akosua Kusi, representing the prosecution, told the court that witness statements had not yet been filed and requested an adjournment. The prosecution also indicated that they had only recently been made aware of Yeboah’s coherence issues and recommended a psychiatric assessment.
The court has set October 22, 2024, as the deadline for the prosecution to file all witness statements and adjourned the case to October 24, 2024.
Meanwhile, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convenor of the anti-galamsey protest, remains in custody. His continued detention has sparked public outcry, with a group of supporters chanting “Free Oliver Now” outside the court premises.
In a related development, the hearing for Raphael Afful Williams and eight other protestors was postponed to November 6, 2024, after the prosecution requested more time to submit their witness statements.