Accra Court Orders Mental Evaluation for Detained Anti-Galamsey Protester

Accra: In a recent proceeding, the Accra Circuit Court ordered a mental evaluation for Thomas Yeboah, a detained anti-galamsey protester who has been unable to secure release despite being granted bail. The decision came after concerns about his mental coherence were raised by his legal representation during a bail hearing. According to Ghana News Agency, Thomas Yeboah, alongside Oliver Barker-Vormawor and 12 other protesters, appeared in court this Monday. Yeboah's continued detention was attributed to the absence of a surety, which his lawyer, Nelson Noble Amedorwornu, argued was due to his client's lack of coherence. Addressing these concerns, Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah, presiding over the case, directed the prosecution to arrange for Yeboah's psychological assessment to ascertain his fitness to face prosecution. Furthermore, the court has instructed the prosecution to ensure the prompt execution of Yeboah's bail. In related developments, another accused, Fanny Otoo, who had been absent earlier, appe ared in court and was granted bail after his plea was taken. The charges against Otoo include offensive conduct, causing damage, and assaulting a public officer. During the hearing, State Attorney Nana Akosua Kusi, leading the prosecution, requested an additional week to file all necessary witness statements, revealing that the prosecution was only recently made aware of Yeboah's mental coherence issues. The court has set a deadline for the submission of these statements by October 22, 2024, and adjourned the matter to October 24, 2024. In a separate but related case involving Raphael Afful Williams and eight other protesters, their hearing was deferred to November 6, 2024, as the prosecution sought more time to prepare their witness statements. The detention of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who is a prominent figure in the anti-galamsey movement, has continued to stir public sentiments, evidenced by a group of supporters rallying outside the court chanting, "Free Oliver Now."