The Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday admitted 10 Democracy Hub protestors to GH¢20,000 bail with a surety bond.
This brings the total number of persons granted bail to 31 out of the 53 arrested and charged with various criminal offences.
However, the bail application for Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the leader of the Democracy Hub, was denied for the third time.
On Monday, the Accra High Court denied his bail application and ordered the state to start his prosecution before the Circuit Court within 72 hours.
Those granted bail include popular activist, Raphael Williams, Razak Suleman, Gerald Delim, Comrade Abubakar Sadeeq, Bilal Mohammed, Ebenezer Ankomanyi Okyere, Norgbedzi Kelvin, Priscilla Tobili, Mohammed King Hassan, and Tanko Nabong, also known as Black Pyramid.
drugs formed part of the strategy by security personnel to break the forefront of the network involved in illicit drug trade in the country.
Two months ago, a similar exercise was conducted behind the Independence Square and 242 feritlizer sacks, 315 wraps of marijuana, and various packets of cocaine and heroin were destroyed.
Speaking to journalists at Bundase, Mr Prosper Kingsley Damankah, Registrar of the Accra Circuit Courts, said some suspects in possession of the drugs had been convicted and sentenced.
Mr Damakah stated that some of the drugs had also been tendered as exhibits in some ongoing cases before the courts.
He said the drugs could be of benefit to the state if they were used for other purposes by those in the pharmaceutical industry.
However, he said, that could be done when the laws on drugs were reviewed or amended.
“My prayer is that maybe this should be a wake-up call for the lawmakers to re-look at the laws,” he said.
Mr Damakah explained that apart from the 256 sacks of compressed marijuana, there were also gallons, boxes, and bottles of laca mixed with marijuana. —GNA
The case has been adjourned to October 14.
The fact according to the prosecution is that, the accused were part of a group of protesters.
Mrs Amanda Awadey, the prosecutor has told the court last week that on July 9, 2024, the Ghana Police service received a notice from a group known as ‘Democracy Hub,’ informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed ‘#Wetaya Demonstration.’
Ms Awadey noted that the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration.
She said the group indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee house.
The court heard that after several meetings with the police, the group was advised by the police to propose an alternative venue as the chosen venue was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order and lead to violence or endanger public defence.
Mrs Awadey stated that on September 18, an order of the High Court prohibited the group from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary Square.
Furthermore, she said the police subsequently communicated to the order to convener of the group, and suggested seven different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order.
However, Ms Awadey indicated that the group rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 Roundabout, which was rejected by the police.
She said on September 21, the group embarked on a protest and gathered around the37 Roundabout, insisting to proceed to the Revolutionary Square.
Ms Awadey further stated that the police mounted barricades around the 37 Roundabout in a bid to maintain security and order.
The State Attorney then told the court that the barricades restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary Square.
But, they suddenly turned chaotic as the accused resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access to the roundabout.
This, according to the prosecutor caused serious traffic within the Liberation Road, the El walk stadium, the Kawukudi road and its environs.
“This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience and annoyance for commuters,” Mrs Awadey underlined.
Moreover, she noted that the accused also pulled down billboards and burnt electoral posters and flags of political parties.
Again, the prosecutor said the accused forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area, obstructing the effort of the police to maintain peace and security.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA