Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called on Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornor to form a committee to reform the bail system in Ghana.
Kpebu said lawyers are ready to offer ideas on how to perfect the bail system. He said this while raising issues against the refusal of the court to grant the leader of the Democratic Hub demonstration, Oliver Barker Vormawor bail.
“Let us reform the bail system, the Chief Justice must form a committee and invite us to contribute ideas,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, October 12.
Kpebu stated that Oliver Barker Vormawor will definitely be granted bail because his offense is a misdemeanor.
“Oliver will get bail, it is just a question of time, Nobody can convince me that we understand what personal liberties being priceless means., we don’t understand. These ones are misdemeanors and misdemeanors are the smallest of crimes, usually, you fine the person,” he said.
At the last court hearing, Oliver Barker Vormawor was refused bail by the Accra High Court.
Lead counsel for Barker Vormawor, Dr Justice Srem Sai in his bail application indicated to the court that his client wasn’t a flight risk and had an identifiable place of abode.
But the judge hearing the matter raised an issue with Oliver. He reminded the lawyers that Oliver was already on trial for a treason felony charge.
He also indicated he wasn’t convinced the Democracy Hub leader would turn up in court. In his defense however, Dr Srem Sai explained that nothing barred his client from reappearing before the court since he didn’t abscond while on a felony charge.
“For a man who hasn’t run away on a charge of treason how will he run away on a charge of misdemeanor?
“The ultimate question is whether he’ll present himself for trial. The overwhelming evidence will bethat he has for the past 3 years been available for the charge of treason, he’ll make himself available for the current charges,” Dr Justice Srem Sai noted.
There was no opposition from the prosecution as officers from the Attorney-General’s office were absent in court.
After listening to the arguments, the court refused the bail application for Oliver Barker Vormawor. The judge directed that the Circuit Court begins the trial of Vormawor within 72 hours.
The court added that if the Circuit Court failed to do so Oliver Barker Vormawor may be granted bail.
Five more persons including Felicity Nelson were however granted a bail of GHc20, 000.
