The Attorney General has officially dropped treason felony charges against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a leading convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, bringing an end to a legal battle that has spanned over two years.
The charges, which stemmed from Barker-Vormawor’s public comments criticizing the passage of the controversial E-Levy, have been formally withdrawn by the state. Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine confirmed the decision, marking the conclusion of one of Ghana’s most high-profile political cases in recent years.
This move is part of a broader shift in prosecutorial strategy under Dr. Ayine’s tenure, which has seen the discontinuation of several major cases, including those involving former COCOBOD CEO Dr. Stephen Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo, and former Bank of Ghana Deputy Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama.
Reacting to the news, Barker-Vormawor expressed a mix of relief and frustration, highlighting the profound impact the case has had on his personal and academic life.
“Since the intention was to impede my doctoral programme, I want to say Ayekoo to the Government and to Godfred Dame. They succeeded. Kindly release my passport and take me off the No-Fly List,” he remarked, referencing the restrictions placed on him during the proceedings.
He also revealed the financial strain caused by the protracted legal battle, noting that he had lost funding for his studies at the University of Cambridge.
“Now that I have lost my funding for Cambridge, we need to address that too so I can finish my programme,” he added.
The Attorney General’s office has yet to respond to Barker-Vormawor’s plea for the release of his passport and the lifting of his travel restrictions.
Barker-Vormawor’s case has drawn significant public attention, with many viewing it as a litmus test for freedom of speech and political activism in Ghana. His remarks and subsequent arrest in 2022 ignited debates on the boundaries of dissent and the state’s handling of critics.
With the charges now dropped, attention shifts to whether the government will address his lingering concerns, particularly the financial and academic setbacks he has faced.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
