Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a prominent social activist, has been officially acquitted and discharged by the High Court in Accra, ending his two-year treason felony trial. The court’s decision on March 18, 2025, comes after lengthy legal proceedings that raised questions about free speech and political dissent in Ghana.

Mr. Barker-Vormawor, who was charged with treason in 2022, had been accused of threatening a coup if Parliament proceeded to pass the controversial E-Levy bill. His arrest by National Security operatives sparked widespread outcry and protests from civil society groups, many of whom viewed the charges as a crackdown on political expression.

The case against Barker-Vormawor faltered in the courtroom, with the prosecution unable to provide substantial evidence beyond the accused’s social media posts. The activist faced potential life imprisonment or even the death penalty had he been convicted.

Mr. Barker-Vormawor, who lost his Cambridge scholarship during the trial, becomes the latest high-profile figure to benefit from a “selective amnesty” under Ghana’s new Attorney General. Since assuming office, the Attorney General has discontinued several prominent cases initiated by the previous administration, including this one.

The court proceedings on Tuesday were brief, with neither Barker-Vormawor nor his legal team present. Principal State Attorney Esi Dentaa Yankah, representing the prosecution, introduced the legal team before the judge, Justice Mary Ekua Yanzu, announced that a “Nolle Prosequi” had been filed. The charges against Barker-Vormawor were subsequently struck out, and he was discharged.

Following the ruling, Barker-Vormawor took to social media to thank those who supported him throughout the ordeal. The case has once again highlighted tensions surrounding the limits of free speech and the power of political speech in Ghana.

Source:TheDotNews