Some 21 Western Togolanders recently arrested have been arraigned and remanded for two weeks.

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

They are Justine Abotsi Kpuia, a teacher; Joshuah Lawoe, a motor rider; Patrick Doe-Dzogbeta; a repairer; Solomon Normeshie, unemployed; Moses Dakpenese, a driver; Raymond Amemo, glassworker; Justice Kumahor, steel bender; and Christian Agbeko, unemployed.

The others are Emmanuel Tannor, a salesman; William Ahiamadi, an electrician; Michael Dakpenese, a motor rider; Enos Agbanyo, a mason; Francis Sakyi, a mason; Kwami Asorgba, unemployed; and Divine Bedzrah, unemployed.

The rest are Samuel Kay Suglo, fisherman; Vincent Abotsi, fisherman; Anthony Dormekpo, driver; Kofi Atsu, teacher; Etse Borlor, mason; and Julius Sah, a lotto agent.

The accused persons, according to the prosecutors, paid between GHS 400.00 and GHS 800.00 as registration fee 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 Guerilla 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 facts said.

The facts sheet also said the state security agencies had intelligence about the training of the suspects as guerilla fighters and, on 17 February 2020, they conducted a raid at the camp and arrested the accused persons.

Their instructors are, however, at large.

On Friday, 21 February 2020, Circuit Judge Ellen Offei Aryeh’s Court said the prosecution’s charge sheet was defective and asked the team, led by Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsonu, to rectify the anomaly before the 4 March adjourned date on which day the pleas of the accused persons would be taken.