Court dismisses Barker-Vormawor motion challenging constitutionality, jurisdiction in treason-felony trial

The High Court has dismissed a motion by the convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, challenging the constitutionality of his treason-felony charge and the jurisdiction of the High Court to sit on the same.

The court held that it was very much within its jurisdiction to continue with the trial.

Lawyers for the accused person had filed a motion asking the court to stay the proceeding and refer the matter to the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of the charge and the High Court's jurisdiction.

However, when the case was called today, State Attorney, Dentaa Yankah argued that the High Court had every right to proceed with the trial and accused Barker-Vormawor's legal team of attempting to impede the legal process.

She added that the Facebook publication by the accused had the potential of inciting those with resources and character to undertake a coup.

This was opposed by Justice Srem Sai, who is the lawyer for the accused in the matter.

The court thus ruled that the matter was within its jurisdiction thereby dismissing the motion.

Oliver was charged with Treason Felony after he was arrested on February 11, 2022, at the Kotoka International Airport upon his return to Ghana from the United Kingdom.

According to a February 12 post by the Ghana Police Service, Oliver was arrested by the “Tema Regional Command following a post he allegedly made on the social media platform to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E.Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.”

The police further note that the post by Oliver Barker-Vormawor contains a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

The case has meanwhile been adjourned to June 3, 2024, for the trial to commence.