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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Protester to undergo mental evaluation in bail hearing

By Joyce Danso

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA- Thomas Yeboah, one of the anti-galamsey protesters, is still in police custody despite being granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

His lawyer, Nelson Noble Amedorwornu, informed the court that Yeboah was still detained because no one was willing to act as his surety due to his lack of coherence.

During a hearing on Monday, Yeboah appeared alongside Oliver Barker-Vormawor and 12 others.

Following the lawyer’s statement, the court, presided over by Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah, ordered the prosecution to have Yeboah undergo a mental evaluation to determine his fitness for prosecution.

The court also directed the prosecution to facilitate the execution of his bail.

Fanny Otoo, another accused who was not present in court earlier, had his plea taken after the charges against him—offensive conduct, causing damage, and assaulting a public officer—were read.

He was granted bail by the court.

The prosecution, led by State Attorney Nana Akosua Kusi, informed the court that they had not yet filed all witness statements and requested a one-week adjournment.

Regarding Yeboah’s coherence issues, the prosecution mentioned it just learned about it.

The prosecution suggested that the court should order a psychiatric examination for Yeboah.

The court then instructed the prosecution to submit all witness statements by October 22, 2024.

The matter was adjourned to October 24, 2024.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convenor of the anti-galamsey protest, remains in custody.

His detention drew a crowd of supporters to the court, who chanted, “Free Oliver Now.”

In a separate case, Raphael Afful Williams and eight other protesters also had their hearing postponed to November 6, 2024.

The prosecution requested additional time to file their witness statements.

GNA

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