- Barker-Vormawor was acquitted in his treason trial over the E-Levy threat
- The new Attorney General discontinued the case
- The trial sparked debate, and Oliver thanked supporters
The High Court in Accra has officially acquitted and discharged Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a social activist who was facing trial for treason.
Barker-Vormawor was charged with treason felony in 2022 after National Security operatives arrested him for allegedly threatening a coup if Parliament proceeded with the passage of the controversial E-Levy bill, which was later enacted into law.
His arrest and the charges sparked significant public debate and criticism from civil society groups, raising concerns about free speech in Ghana.
As a result of the trial, Barker-Vormawor lost his Cambridge scholarship, but he is now the latest individual to benefit from a selective amnesty by the new Attorney General, who has chosen to drop several high-profile cases initiated by the previous administration.
Over the course of the two-year legal battle, the prosecution struggled to present sufficient evidence beyond Barker-Vormawor’s social media posts. He had been declared a flight risk, and if convicted, he faced either the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The Attorney General’s decision to discontinue Barker-Vormawor’s case adds to a growing list of high-profile cases in which nolle prosequi motions have been filed since the new Attorney General took office.
Neither Barker-Vormawor nor his legal team was present in court when the case was called on Tuesday, March 18. Principal State Attorney Esi Dentaa Yankah was in court and introduced the prosecution team to start the proceedings.
In a brief session, the trial judge, Justice Mary Ekua Yanzu, confirmed that a Nolle prosequi had been filed by the Attorney General and declared, “The charges have been struck out, and the accused person has been discharged.”
Barker-Vormawor has since taken to social media to express his gratitude to those who supported him throughout the trial.
