State prosecutors yesterday told the Accra Circuit Court that Mr Oliver Mawusi Barker-Vormawor, leading member of Democracy Hub, a pressure group, is receiving medical attention at the hospital.
Appearing before Mr Kwabena Obiri Yeboah, the presiding judge, Amanda Awadey, prosecuting, said Mr Barker-Vormawor, and Fanny Otoo, also suspect, were receiving medical attention.
This was after another set of 13 demonstrators were arraigned and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and unlawful assembly. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and would appear again on October 8.
Those arraigned include Cederic Bansah, Michaeal Amofo, Emmanuel Offei, Nii Ayi, Fres Boateng, Iddrisa Yussif and Samuel Samakor, Nana Amo Mensah Prempeh and Thomas Yeaboah.
Mrs Awadey told the court that the accused were part of a group of protesters.
She said on July 9, 2024 the police service received a notice from a group known as “DemocracyHub” informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed *#Wetaya Demonstration.”
The prosecutor said that the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration.
She indicated that the group indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee Fouse.
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 said on September 18, an order of the High Court prohibited the group from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary Square.
She noted that the police subsequently communicated to the convener of the group and suggested seven different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order.
She stated that the group, however, 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 their protest and gathered around the 37-roundabout insisting to proceed to the revolutionary square.
Moreover, she said the police mounted barricades around the 37 roundabouts in a bid to maintain security and order.
The state attorney told the court that the barricades restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary Square.
But the demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access at the roundabout.
BY MALIK SULLEMANAA