Oliver Barker-Vormawor spoke out against keeping Bernard Antwi Boasiako locked up without a court hearing. The activist lawyer said authorities violated the Constitution when they held Chairman Wontumi past the legal time limit. Police arrested the Ashanti Regional party leader on May 27 for suspected illegal mining activities. He received bail worth 50 million Ghana cedis with two people backing him up. Wontumi met all bail requirements on May 30 but stayed behind bars because of legal problems.
Barker-Vormawor posted on social media that personal freedom remains a basic right for all citizens. Ghana's 1992 Constitution requires officials to bring suspects before judges within 48 hours of arrest. Government agencies must either release people unconditionally or take them to court during that time period. Any agency that holds someone longer breaks the supreme law of the land. The lawyer called current detention practices completely wrong and against constitutional rules.
Police bail conditions become worthless after two days pass without court action. State institutions cannot force people to stay locked up just because they want certain conditions met. Barker-Vormawor argued that judicial approval must happen before extended detention can continue. The legal expert demanded immediate release for anyone held past the constitutional deadline. Government offices need court permission to keep suspects longer than 48 hours.
Barker-Vormawor posted on social media that personal freedom remains a basic right for all citizens. Ghana's 1992 Constitution requires officials to bring suspects before judges within 48 hours of arrest. Government agencies must either release people unconditionally or take them to court during that time period. Any agency that holds someone longer breaks the supreme law of the land. The lawyer called current detention practices completely wrong and against constitutional rules.
Police bail conditions become worthless after two days pass without court action. State institutions cannot force people to stay locked up just because they want certain conditions met. Barker-Vormawor argued that judicial approval must happen before extended detention can continue. The legal expert demanded immediate release for anyone held past the constitutional deadline. Government offices need court permission to keep suspects longer than 48 hours.
