Private legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor has condemned Ghana’s justice system following the detention of comedian Funny Face.
Barker-Vormawor expressed dismay at the refusal to grant bail to Funny Face, who remains behind bars awaiting trial.
In a series of tweets, Barker-Vormawor criticized the decision to keep a high-profile individual like Funny Face in custody, stating that bail should only be denied if there are genuine concerns about the person not showing up for trial. He emphasized that as a public figure, Funny Face poses no flight risk and should be granted bail without hesitation.
“The fact that Funny Face is still in prison sheds light on the flaws in our criminal justice system. Denying bail should only happen when there are real doubts about the individual’s reliability to attend trial,” Barker-Vormawor tweeted.
He also questioned the use of bail as a form of punishment, particularly when the individual is already going through the trial process. Barker-Vormawor raised concerns about the lack of empathy and respect for constitutional rights within the judicial system.
The background to Funny Face’s incarceration stems from an incident on Sunday, March 24, 2024, where the comedian’s vehicle was involved in a near-fatal accident at Kasoa, Kakraba junction in the central region. Eyewitnesses reported that the accident was caused by drunk driving and excessive speed.
