The Ghana Police Service has announced a manhunt for Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a leader of the Democracy Hub group, following his involvement in an incident where he was captured on video removing the key from a police van during a protest at the 37 Intersection in Accra.
“The Police are on manhunt to arrest one of their leaders Oliver Vormawor and others who engaged in some acts of lawlessness at the 37 Intersection” a Ghana Police Service public notice reads.
“We would like to assure the public that the Police will arrest all the perpetrators involved and bring them to face justice”.
The altercation occurred on Sunday, September 22, during the second day of a three-day protest organized by Democracy Hub as part of their ‘Fix The Country’ movement, which was aimed at drawing attention to economic mismanagement and other national concerns.
A widely circulated video from the scene shows Barker-Vormawor turning off the engine of a police tow truck, taking the key, and fleeing. In the background, a voice can be heard shouting, “He has taken the key! Thief, thief! Arrest him!”
Barker-Vormawor, who also serves as the Constitutional Rights and Policy Advisor for the Democracy Hub, later admitted to the act.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, one of the convenors of the Democracy Hub street protest, seen removing a key from a police vehicle and throwing it away.
Police confirm arrests of protesters at 37 Intersection https://t.co/PsHsmb9xrehttps://t.co/H1QYpk7wlF pic.twitter.com/45nTetrxxB
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) September 22, 2024
In a Facebook post, he justified his actions, saying, “Yes, I took the key of the police tow truck to demobilize it! I own my resistance to the unlawful seizure of the vehicle carrying our water.”
The protest, which turned confrontational, resulted in several demonstrators being arrested after engaging in acts of “lawlessness,” according to a statement from the Ghana Police Service. Demonstrators reportedly blocked roads, pushed down police barriers, and obstructed traffic in their efforts to voice their discontent.
Police confirmed they are actively searching for Barker-Vormawor and others involved in the unrest. The service assured the public that all perpetrators would be apprehended and face justice.
The protests have drawn widespread attention as demonstrators seek government accountability on pressing national issues, but tensions have escalated between the protestors and law enforcement as arrests continue.
In another post responding to the Police Public Notice, Barker-Vormawor said he was ready to hand himself over to the Police but called for the release of an eight-year-old protestor who was allegedly arrested.
He posted: “Stop hunting. Just tell me where and when you want me to show up with my lawyers. You have my number.
“But first, Please release 8-year-old Rose Sarfo. She doesn’t deserve your brutality. Her parents are worried. Also tell us where the 15 others are being held!”.
Source: graphiconline
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