TIG Post

Tag: Democracy Hub protest

  • ‘Sick’ Barker-Vormawor arrainged today

    ‘Sick’ Barker-Vormawor arrainged today

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the Democracy Hub protest, who was admitted to the Police Hospital with another suspect, Fanny Otoo, after complaining of ill health has been brought before the court today.

    He was aided by some police officers to climb the stairs to the court room.

    Barker-Vormawor was arrested for his involvement in what the Police have described as “various unlawful acts” during the Democracy Hub protests. A Police statement noted, “The Ghana Police Service has arrested Oliver Barker-Vormawor, one of the leaders of Democracy Hub, for the various unlawful acts he was involved in on Saturday, 21st September and Sunday, 22nd September 2024, at the 37 Intersection in Accra.”

    The Democracy Hub protest, aimed at calling for an end to illegal mining activities (galamsey), concluded over the weekend. On Wednesday, eleven demonstrators appeared before the Accra Circuit Court, where they were remanded into police custody. They are expected to return for a hearing on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Each of the eleven pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime.

    This development brings the total number of demonstrators currently remanded by the court to 50.

    The legal proceedings are being spearheaded by the Office of the Attorney-General. Thirty of the demonstrators are expected to reappear in court on October 8, 2024, while the remaining nine will be arraigned on October 11, 2024. 

  • No food, water for 48 hours after arrest – Ama Governor cries out en route to court

    No food, water for 48 hours after arrest – Ama Governor cries out en route to court

    Ama Governor, a lawyer and social media influencer, has voiced her frustrations after being detained for over 48 hours without food or water following her arrest during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration over the weekend.

    She was among several protesters who appeared in court today after being transported under heavy security in a bus. The group, numbering over 12, was arrested during the three-day protest at the 37 Roundabout, where demonstrators raised concerns about illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement.

    Ama Governor, as she was being escorted to the courtroom, shouted, “You want to see a 26-year-old lawyer in handcuffs because she said Stop Galamsey Now. 48 hours no lawyer, 48 hours no food, no water. Over 48 hours, you all should be proud. These people are ridiculous. Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.”

    Engaging the media following her arrest after standing on the pavement near the 37 lorry station over the weekend, she noted that she was assaulted by the police.

    ‘I don’t know why I have been picked up… they hit my neck,” she told the media.

    The protesters were charged in court with conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically unlawful assembly. However, their legal representatives stated that they were not provided with the exact reasons for their arrests.

    Prince Ganaku, a member of the Protest Defense team, also revealed that they are struggling to locate all 46 protesters who had been detained, claiming that the police may be planning to prolong their detention.

    Mr. Ganaku added that the lawyers had requested information on the court where the Democracy Hub detainees would be arraigned to allow them to prepare a defense, but the police had not provided any details.