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Tag: Barker-Vormawor

  • Barker-Vormawor’s ‘absence’ forces Kan Dapaah to apply for substituted service in defamation suit

    Barker-Vormawor’s ‘absence’ forces Kan Dapaah to apply for substituted service in defamation suit

    National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, has submitted an application to the High Court seeking permission for substituted service to serve the #FixTheCountry activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

    This request comes after multiple unsuccessful attempts by bailiffs to serve him, according to the minister.

    The ex-parte motion was officially filed on Thursday, October 19, and is scheduled to be presented in court on Friday, October 27.

    In the affidavit in support of his motion, Kan-Dapaah asserts: “It has not been possible to effect service personally on the defendant (Oliver Barker-Vormawor) with the writ of summons and statement of claim and it has become impracticable to do so as I do not know the place of abode of the defendant and attempts to effect service on him at his place of work as I know, has also proved unsuccessful.”

    Prior to this, Barker Vormawor in a post on X on October 25, jabbed the National Security Minister over claims that he had been avoiding the court’s baillif.

    “Hear this. Last week, the Minister for National Security was asked why he has still not served me with this lawsuit. He answered that he has not been able to find me. So he will be going to court for an order that he can’t find me.

    Ah! Anokwa! This is the person you guys claim is in charge of your security?” he quizzed.

    Mr. Kan-Dapaah has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the prominent convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement.

    The lawsuit was prompted by Mr. Barker-Vormawor’s assertion that he and his associates had rejected a proposal during a clandestine meeting with the Minister of National Security. According to his claim, they were offered $1 million to cease their ‘activism.’

    In a legal document filed on Tuesday, September 26, the minister’s legal representatives have requested ¢10 million as compensation for general damages.

    This action stems from allegations made by Mr. Barker-Vormawor, claiming that the Ministry tried to thwart his “activism” by offering a $1 million bribe.

    Additionally, Mr. Kan-Dapaah is seeking an apology from Mr. Barker-Vormawor and a retraction of the statements made.

    He also demanded that there should be a “Perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from repeating similar or other defamatory words against the plaintiff.”

  • Kan Dapaah demands compensation, apology in lawsuit against Barker-Vormawor

    The Minister of National Security, Kan Dapaah, has filed a lawsuit against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement.

    Barker-Vormawor had alleged that National Security and other government officials met with him in 2021, offering him money to silence his activism.

    These allegations were made after Barker-Vormawor and others were released by the police following their arrest on September 22 for staging a demonstration in Accra, breaching a restraining order secured by the police.

    In the lawsuit, Kan Dapaah is seeking a declaration from the court that Barker-Vormawor’s statements are defamatory.

    Additionally, he is demanding the recovery of Ten Million Ghana Cedis (GHC10,000,000.00) as General Damages, which includes Aggravated and/or Exemplary Damages for Defamation due to the words spoken by Barker-Vormawor.

    Kan Dapaah is also seeking an apology and retraction of the defamatory words, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining Barker-Vormawor from making similar or other defamatory statements against him.

    Barker-Vormawor had claimed that he was offered a tempting sum of $1 million and lucrative government positions to halt his activism, which was critical of the government. He insisted that he possessed evidence to support his claims but has not yet made these files public.

  • Why take so long to publish alleged $1m bribery audio? – Barker-Vormawor’s integrity in refute

    Why take so long to publish alleged $1m bribery audio? – Barker-Vormawor’s integrity in refute

    Sustainability, Climate, and Social Innovation Advisor Enam Akoetey has strongly criticised Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the FixTheCountry movement, for his recent decision to reveal an alleged bribery attempt to hinder his activism.

    Barker-Vormawor has accepted the Ministry of National Security’s challenge to provide evidence supporting his claim that he was offered a $1 million bribe in 2021 by a government minister.

    The lawyer and activist asserted that he possesses evidence to substantiate his allegations and intends to make it public after the ongoing #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.

    During an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on Saturday, September 23, Enam Akoetey expressed her disbelief at why Barker-Vormawor, who advocates for improved leadership and integrity, withheld the supposed audio for nearly two years before deciding to disclose it.

    She stated that, in her opinion, she would have released such audio on the very day the alleged conversation regarding inducements took place, as she values transparency and integrity.

    “There are a lot of claims going out and I am saying that are they all about integrity. If you are saying that a lot of people called you to say that don’t publish something, the question is if you are a person that is value-driven, would you listen to them or say –I hear what you are asking me to do but it is the wrong thing so I am going to defy you and publish?”

    “So why would it take him two to three years for him to publish this audio?” she queried.

    This follows taking up the challenge from the National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah to produce evidence of the alleged attempt by government to induce him with an amount of $1 million so they cease his “activism”.

    Speaking on the same news analysis programme on Saturday, the FixTheCountry’s Convener clarified that the meeting he [Oliver Barker-Vormawor] made reference to was an exclusive secret meeting between him and the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah even before the first FixTheCountry protest in 2021.

    “The Minister of National Security has issued a statement claiming that I was met with other FixTheCountry conveners and other stakeholders. I want to put it on record that the meeting I am talking about happened exclusively between myself and the Minister for National Security where that offer was made to me.

    “I will release an audio into the public domain, which would confirm that the Minister invited me to a secret safe house location, that we should have an individual meeting between him and myself, at which meeting he made that offer to myself. No other FixThecountry convener was involved there,” he revealed.

  • OccupyJulorbiHouse protest : “We have been arrested, this is not democracy” – Barker-Vormawor

    OccupyJulorbiHouse protest : “We have been arrested, this is not democracy” – Barker-Vormawor

    One of the #OccupyJulorbi protesters, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has questioned the fundamentals of democracy as he and other protesters have been detained by the police.

    As Barker-Vormawor spoke amidst the unfolding events, stated, “We have just been arrested and taken to the police headquarters. We will provide legal assistance to all those who have been arrested today. This is not democracy.”

    The arresting scenes are shown in videos that have since been shared on social media, showing police boarding a bus with protesters.

    The incident took place as the Democracy Hub-organized #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest suffered a serious setback as a result of the arrests.

    These incidents happened as a result of the protesters’ defiance of a police injunction that was issued just one day prior to the planned demonstration.

    The court order had not been formally communicated to Democracy Hub, which prompted them to continue their nonviolent march.

  • I’ll mock you with coup references till you develop high blood pressure – Barker-Vormawor to govt

    I’ll mock you with coup references till you develop high blood pressure – Barker-Vormawor to govt

    Convenor for the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has announced his determination to persistently challenge Ghana’s political establishment, even going as far as invoking the notion of a coup d’état.

    The activist holds the view that the mere suggestion of a coup unsettles the politicians of Ghana’s 4th Republic, making it a powerful tool to keep them accountable.

    He expressed his perspective by saying, “When I talk about taking legal action, they dismiss it as they control the courts. When I talk about organizing protests, they dismiss it as they control the police. When I talk about revolution, they dismiss it as the people are disorganized.

    “But when I mention a coup, they arrest me. Why? Now that I see it’s the only thing that makes you anxious, I’ll continue to mock you corrupt individuals with coup references until the people gather their strength and rise up! Or until you develop high blood pressure from constant worry.”

    Barker-Vormawor is currently facing accusations of conspiring to overthrow the government and has been formally charged with treason felony. His arrest in February 2022 was prompted by a social media post that law enforcement interpreted as a direct expression of intent to undermine the country’s constitution, potentially through a coup.

    In recent times, the West African region has witnessed a series of coup d’état events, raising concerns about the potential expansion of such incidents in neighboring countries.

    Nevertheless, Ghana’s Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, has categorically dismissed any concerns regarding a potential military takeover in Ghana. Nitiwul has underscored that unlike other West African nations such as Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Ghana’s Armed Forces are unwavering in their commitment to uphold the constitution.

    He highlighted that the defense of the constitution takes precedence over any actions that could undermine it, including coup attempts.

  • ‘He is safer in prison than home’ – Judge’s reason for jailing man who insulted Akufo-Addo

    Pressure group leader and lead convener of the ‘Fix The Country’ movement Oliver Barker-Vormawor, is ‘disgusted’ at the grounds for which a man was jailed for using unprintable words at President Akufo-Addo.

    “According to the Court, the man’s life will be in danger in the community because he insulted the president so he will be safer in Police custody.” Mr Barker-Vormawor says in a tweet

    Mr Barker-Vormawor strongly condemned a judge who reportedly remanded a young man in a viral video for insulting the President.

    The man, identified as Oko the killer, was captured in the viral video in the company of others complaining about the economy, expressing their suffering, hurling insults at the president, and threatening to vote against his party in the upcoming general elections in 2024.

    The Accra Circuit Court remanded the man on the grounds that his life would be in danger in the community for insulting the president, and thus, the police cells would be a bit safer for him, according to Barker Vomowor.

    However, the ruling has not been well received by the lead convener, who described the judgment as “straight-up garbage logic and abuse of power.”

    He further questioned the integrity of the judge, asking what kind of lawyers end up becoming judges in the country.

    “What kind of lawyers end up as judges in this town, kraa?”

    Barker-Vormawor continued, saying, “Do we think police cells are convenient hotels? What a stupid, stupid little country with weak men as judges, prosecutors, and presidents?”

  • US State Department’s 2022 report addresses arrest of Barker-Vormawor, threats against journalists, and arbitrary detention

    US State Department’s 2022 report addresses arrest of Barker-Vormawor, threats against journalists, and arbitrary detention

    The 2022 arrest of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement, limitations on free expression and police impunity in Ghana were highlighted as human rights violations in the US Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2022.

    The country is also cited for violating the rights of LGBTQ+ targeting and the lack of investigation and accountability for gender-based violence.

    Released in April 2023, the report highlighted “Significant human rights issues included credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings including extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by the government or on behalf of the government.

    It noted “arbitrary arrest or detention; serious restrictions on free expression and media, including violence and threats of violence against journalists, and unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly.”

    There were also cases of “serious government corruption; lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence, including domestic or intimate partner violence.”

    The report took an exception to “crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex persons; laws criminalising consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, although not fully enforced.”

    Also, the report highlighted “crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting persons with disabilities.”

    The US Department noted that although the Akufo-Addo government “took some steps to address corruption and human rights abuses by officials, whether in the security forces or elsewhere in the government impunity remained a problem.”

  • Barker-Vormawor swears to make Akufo-Addo’s life miserable after office

    Barker-Vormawor swears to make Akufo-Addo’s life miserable after office

    The convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Mawusi Barker-Vormawor, has vowed to make the life of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo unpleasant due to the alleged abuse of some people detained by the government in connection with the secession of Western Togoland.

    The activist claims to have knowledge that some people suspected of belonging to the successionist group are being held in the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) custody without being charged.

    “I heard a story today that several Ghanaians picked up in connection with Western Togoland have been held in BNI/NIB custody over a year without any charges brought against them.,” he wrote in a Facebook post sighted by the media.

    The activist also alleged that some of the suspects have died while in custody and the state without recourse to their families have since gone ahead to bury them.

    “Some have died and the bodies were not released to their families but buried by the state at its pleasure,” he alleged.

    He has thus vowed to make President Akufo-Addo pay for the treatment of the alleged suspects upon the completion of his term of office.

    “I am praying to God, that none of these grave allegations of abduction and disappearance against Nana Addo’s Government are true.

    “But if they are, I swear on my grandmother’s grave that when this man leaves office, I will make his life a living hell!” the activist said.

    Article 57 (4) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana stipulates that “…the President shall not, while in office, be liable to proceedings in any court for the performance of his functions, or for any act done or omitted to be done, or purported to be done, or purported to have been done or purporting to be done in the performance of his functions, under this Constitution or any other law.”

    Meanwhile, the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, has sentenced five Western Togoland secessionists to a total of 25-years in prison.

    The suspects who were sentenced on Tuesday, March 21, 2022, were arrested by the police in September 2020 after they blocked the Aveyime road from Accra with sand and attacked the Aveyime and Mepe Police, Stations in the Volta Region.

    The High Court convicted the five accused persons on 17 March 2023 after finding them guilty of offences contrary to the Prohibited Organisations Act 1976 (Supreme Military Council Decree/SMCD20).

    The first two of the four charges under SMCD20 proffered against the accused were:

    Attending meetings of a prohibited organization contrary to Section 2(1)(b) of SMCD20, and Making contributions to the funds of a prohibited organisation contrary to Section 2(1)(g) of SMCD 20.

    The third and fourth charges were participating in the campaign of a prohibited organization, contrary to Section 2(1)(d) of SMCD20, and being a member of a prohibited organization, contrary to Section 2(1)(i) of SMCD20.

  • Hearing of Oliver’s motion challenging treason felony charges deferred to Oct. 28

    Hearing of the application filed by lead convenor of the #FixTheCountry pressure group, urging the court to strike out his treason felony charges has been deferred to October 28.

    Barker-Vormawor, through his lawyers led by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai filed the application at the High Court praying the Court to throw out the Attorney General’s Bill of indictment and summary of evidence filed against him to stand trial.

    The Ashaiman District Court had committed him for trial at the High Court for two counts of Treason felony.

    On October 13 when all the parties appeared before the High Court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, the court fixed today to hear the application.

    However, in Court on Friday, October 21, the court did not sit with the parties agreeing on coming next Friday.

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has been indicted by the State on two counts of treason felony contrary to section 182(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and treason felony contrary to section 182(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

    According to EIB Network’s Legal Affair Correspondent Murtala Inusah, Oliver Barker-Vormawor was present in court with a Ghana flag over his shoulders.

    Bill of Indictment

    On May 30, the state through the Director of Public Prosecutions Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa filed the Bill of Indictment which is now being challenged by #FixTheCountry convenor.

    His lawyers have argued that the nature of the charges preferred sin against the rules of multiplicity and duplicity.

    Witnesses

    According to the summary of evidence, the state indicates that it intends to call three witnesses at trial.

    They are Andrew Okyere, No 55341 D/CONST Dunstan Guba and D/CPL Mark Owusu.

    The state will also be tendering some eight exhibits to support their case at the trial.

    They are the investigation cautioned statement of the accused (Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor) dated 11 February 2022, Charged statement of the accused dated 11 February 2022 and Investigation cautioned statement of the accused dated 16 February 2022.

    The remaining exhibits are charge statement of the accused dated 1 April 2022, Facebook and Twitter posts of the accused person from February 2021 to February 2022, Facebook post of the accused person on 30 April 2022, Intelligence report from Cybercrime unit, and Intelligence report from National Security.

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor was arrested after he was said to have made a series of Facebook posts alleged to have been geared towards overthrow of government.