Court dismisses Oliver Vormawor’s Petition, charges him for wasting time

General Jurisdiction Court 13, presided over by His Lordship Joseph Adu-Owusu Agyeman, has dismissed a petition by Oliver Barker-Vormawor seeking the dismissal of a case brought against him by Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister for National Security.

The judge also imposed a fine of GH₵3,000 on him for wasting the court’s time.

The case stems from bribery allegations Mr Barker-Vormawor levelled  against Mr. Kan-Dapaah.

Mr. Kan-Dapaah filed a lawsuit against Mr Barker-Vormawor, who, failing to submit a statement of defense, sought an extension, which was granted by the court.

However, on December 14, 2023, instead of submitting the defense statement, Mr Barker-Vormawor’s counsels moved a motion for the dismissal of the case.

The argument centered on whether Mr. Kan-Dapaah, as a public officer, had the right to sue Oliver directly or if the Attorney General should have been involved.

Mr Barker-Vormawor’s counsel, Justice Srem Sai, contended that the nature of the claims fell within the Minister’s role and argued that the Attorney General should have been the one to sue.

In his ruling, Judge Adu-Owusu Agyeman clarified that there is a distinction between the person of the Minister and the function of the Minister.

He stated that when the character of a Minister is under attack, the Minister has the right to seek legal remedy without involving the Attorney General.
The judge dismissed Oliver’s motion and imposed a fine of GH₵3,000 for wasting the court’s time.

The case has been adjourned to January 9, 2023, with a directive for Oliver Vormawor to submit his statement of defense.

This legal development marks a significant point in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the bribery allegations against the Minister for National Security.