Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor has highlighted what he described as the efficiency and humanity of Singapore’s legal tracking and criminal justice system, following his involvement in coordinating legal representation for a young Ghanaian arrested in the city-state.
In an account shared publicly, the activist and lawyer said Singaporean defence counsel were able to access a centralised digital system that instantly displayed the charges, reasons for arrest and detention location of the accused. He noted that detainees are provided with a dedicated email platform, allowing regular communication with family and friends while in custody.
Barker-Vormawor said lawyers could also hold virtual meetings with clients through a booking system, while court processes, including filings and legal arguments, were conducted entirely online. He added that Singapore’s legal framework includes minor offences with short maximum custodial sentences, sometimes measured in days or weeks.
According to him, judges are empowered to advise prosecutors to reconsider charges where circumstances warrant leniency. In the case he coordinated, the accused was sentenced to one day in prison, taking into account time already spent in custody.
He said the individual was later escorted by prison officials to the airport to catch a pre-booked flight out of Singapore, describing the experience as a sharp contrast to justice systems where detainees are routinely dehumanised.