Some 39 protestors have been remanded into custody by the court in Accra over the demonstration by a pressure group, Democracy Hub.
Ten out of the protesters arrested during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration were the first to be remanded after appearing in court today.
The entire group, numbering about 39, was transported in different buses under heavy security presence.
In court, the demonstrators were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, namely; unlawful assembly. JoyNews’ Correspondent Kenneth Gyasi indicated that the first batch of 12 pleaded not guilty.
Ten of the accused persons whose cases were just heard have been remanded into police custody.
Their case has been adjourned to October 8, 2024.
The next batch of 9 accused persons pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, namely unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, and offensive conduct due to breach of peace.
They have also been remanded to reappear on October 8.
One of them is a fresh graduate undertaking his National Service.
Next up was the third batch of 11 protestors as the 19 remanded so far are being sent back to their police cells.
This group of 11 has been remanded into Prison custody with their case adjourned to October 8 as well.
Another group of 9 in a different courtroom has been remanded into police custody with their case adjourned to October 11.
Meanwhile, a bench warrant has been issued for one person who failed to show up in court.
Convenor for the #FixTheCountry group, Oliver Barker-Vormawor is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
The arrests occurred over the three-day protest at the 37 Roundabout, where the demonstrators were voicing concerns over issues such as illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and economic mismanagement.
On Sunday, September 22, another major scuffle broke out between the Democracy Hub protesters and the Ghana Police Service during the second day of the protest.
Lawyer and social media influencer Ama Governor was part of the arrested persons.
As she is escorted to the courtroom, she is heard shouting, “emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.”
myjoyonline
