The Accra Circuit Court has reportedly denied a request by Elorm Ababio, popularly known as Ama Governor, seeking permission to travel out of Ghana.
Ama Governor is one of the Democracy Hub demonstrators who were arrested and charged with various crimes, including unlawful assembly and unlawful damage contrary to the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), for allegedly engaging in unlawful activities during the demonstration.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, during the trial on Friday, October 11, 2024, Ama Governor, through her lawyer, after requesting more time to complete the filing of the documents, placed an application for the court to grant her permission to travel abroad for an engagement between Sunday, October 13, 2024, and Friday, October 18, 2024.
The lawyer also asked the court to drop the charge of assault on a public officer against her client.
The state, represented by State Attorney Amanda Awadi, however, objected to Ama Governor’s permission to travel abroad.
The state prosecutor argued that they were unaware of these developments as the information had not been formally communicated to them.
The judge presiding over the case, Evelyn Asamoah, ruled in favour of the state and denied the travel application.
She said that Ama Governor’s lawyer failed to file a formal application for the travel request and urged them to do so.
Judge Asamoah went on to direct the prosecution to file all remaining witness statements and adjourned the case to October 30.
An Accra High Court granted bail to some 9 protesters, including Ama Governor, who were arrested during a three-day protest by the Democracy Hub titled #ReOccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamsey, from September 21 to September 23, 2024.
According to details shared on X by journalist Kwaku Asante, when the bail was announced, the state prosecutors opposed it.
“An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame has granted bail to Ama Governor and 8 others to the tune of GHC70k and two sureties. They are also to report to the police once a week.
“When the application for bail was moved, State Prosecutors opposed it,” he wrote.
The journalist also added that there will be other hearings for some of the other arrested protesters in other courts.
“This application is in respect of Ama Governor, Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip, Owusu Kobina, Akisibik Desmond, Von Coffie and Sadik Yakubu.
“There will be another application in a different court. We await the ruling of the Court,” he added.
Ama Governor was among 53 protesters who were arrested in late September and subsequently put before the Accra High Court where they were remanded into police custody for 2 weeks.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
