21 ‘Western Togolanders’ charged, remanded into police custody

Police Prosecutors have arraigned twenty-one (21) persons suspected to be involved in activities of the Western Togoland secessionists group in the Volta Region and have secured a two weeks remand of the accused persons in order to complete their investigations into the matter.

Charges

The 21 accused persons have been charged with two counts of participating in the campaign of a prohibited organization namely, Western Togoland, contrary to section 2(1)(d) of the Prohibited Organizations Act, 1976 (SMCD 20) and attending a meeting of a prohibited organization namely Western Togoland, contrary to section 2(1)(b) of the Prohibited Organizations Act, 1976 (SMCD 20).

The Accused Persons

The accused persons are Justine Abotsi Kpuia, a Pupil Teacher. Joshuah Lawoe, A Motor Rider, Patrick Doe-Dzogbeta, a Repairer, Solomon Normeshie, Unemployed, Moses Dakpenese, a Driver, Raymond Amemo, Glass worker, Justice Kumahor, Steel bender, Christian Agbeko, Unemployed, Emmanuel Tannor, a Salesman, William Ahiamadi, an Electrician, and Michacl Dakpenese, a Motor rider. The rest are Enos Agbanyo, a Mason, Francis Sakyi, a Mason, Kwami Asorgba, unemployed, Divine Bedzrah, Unemployed, Samuel Kay Suglo, Fisherman, Vincent Abotsi, Fisherman, Anthony Dormekpo, Driver, Kofi Atsu, Teacher, Etse Borlor, Mason and Julius Sah, a Lotto Agent.

The Facts

The Accused persons according to the facts sheet as filed by the State bought recruitment forms and paid between GHc 400.00 and GHc 800.00 as registration fees through a Mobile Money number which is registered in the name one Samuel Gafa, who is currently at large.

“The accused persons were made to assemble at Dzodze and they were transported on motorbikes and in vehicles to the training camp of the Western Togoland Gorilla Army to commence training,” the Charge Sheet said.

“The accused persons were further briefed by one Togbe alias Spider, of the activities of the Western Togoland Secessionists Group” the brief facts of the case further stated.

The facts sheet also indicated that the State security agencies had intelligence about the training of the suspects as guerilla fighters and on the 17th of February, 2020, they conducted a raid at the camp and arrested the accused persons. The instructors of the accused persons according to the charge sheet managed to escape from the camp during the raid.

Today in Court

Circuit Judge Ellen Offei Aryeh’s Court which heard the case indicated to the Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsonu, that their charge sheet was defective and that they ought to put their house in order ahead of the next court sitting which was fixed for the 4th of March 2020 before the plea of the accused persons will be taken.