Western Togoland ‘successionists’ jailed five years each

Five members of the Western Togoland Group have been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labour.

The five were part of the group that wanted the Western Togoland to be declared an independent country.

The five members are: Ebenezer Gblorkpor, Afetorgbor Kpogo, Joseph Nyamewu, Wisdom Kuvor, and Israel Bessah Kpexor.

The accused persons were charged with attending meetings of a prohibited organisation contrary to Section 2(1)(b) of SMCD 20.

Other charges against them included making contributions to the funds of a prohibited organisation contrary to Section 2(1)(g) of SMCD 20 as well as participating in the campaign of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(d) of SMCD 20.

They were arrested by the police in 2020 after attacking two police stations and blocking the Aveyime road in the Volta Region.

Judge Mary Yanzuh, who presided over the Court gave the accused the maximum sentence, despite pleas from their lawyer to be considerate. 

According to the counsel for the accused, the court should consider the fact that the convicts have been in custody for more than two years for the entire duration of the trial, the fact that they are first-time offenders and also are of youthful age before sentencing.

But the prosecution prayed for stiffer punishment with the view that the convicts attacked 2 police stations, blocked roads and attacked police officers which the court granted.