Dominic Ayine is the Minister of Justice and Attorney General
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has indicated plans by his office to conduct a review of the treason felony charges against Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
Speaking to the media after being sworn in by President John Dramani Mahama on January 22, 2025, Ayine disclosed that the charges brought against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a social activist and lawyer, by the state could potentially be dropped following a thorough review of the case docket.
The Bolgatanga East MP contended that the alleged treasonous statement attributed to Barker-Vormawor was made in the media, further noting that his office would assess whether the charges against him have been fabricated or were properly substantiated.
“With respect to the charges against Oliver, I will definitely study the docket. The statement he made was one made in the media. The docket has been billed and I will study the docket and based on my own opinion as to whether or not they are trumped-up charges, I may drop the charges,” he said.
He added, “I‘m not going to stand here and assure you that I’m definitely going to drop the charges not having read the docket and come to an opinion as to whether or not the charges were properly laid and should be dropped.”
Background
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the #FixTheCountry convener, was charged with a treason felony after making comments on social media that were deemed a threat of a coup.
On Monday, February 14, 2022, the Ashaiman District Court remanded Mr. Barker-Vormawor into police custody until February 28, 2022.
Barker-Vormawor was arrested on Friday, February 11, 2022, upon his return to the country.
According to a police statement, his arrest was prompted by a comment he made on social media, in which he stated that he would stage a coup if the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) was passed into law.
In 2024, Barker-Vormawor requested that his trial be heard on a daily basis; however, the court did not approve this request, and the case remains pending.
Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced plans to review the treason felony charge against activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, suggesting the charge could be dropped.
This comes as the High Court sets February 17, 2025, to empanel a new jury for Vormawor’s trial.… pic.twitter.com/ZdRWqrCKjL
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) January 23, 2025
MAG/MA
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