Secessionists case: 9 accused yet to execute bail bonds

The nine people accused of allegedly attempting to declare parts of the country, including the Volta Region, as an independent state, to be known as Western Togoland, are yet to execute their bail bonds weeks after an Accra high court granted them bail. 

When the case was called on Monday, July 1, Detective Sergeant Ali Ganani, told the court that the police had received documents concerning properties at various areas in Accra and Ho, and have forwarded them to the Lands Commission to ascertain ownership of the properties.

The court empanelled by three justices and presided by Justice Jerome Noble Nkrumah, included Justice Ekow Baiden and Mrs Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe.

Meanwhile, lawyers of the accused were not in court on Monday.

Mr Fred Awindago, a state attorney, told the court that the prosecution has come across fresh evidence it sought to file against the accused. 

Justice Baiden cautioned the police not to use procedures and processes to curtail the human rights of the accused, adding that, “You need to fast-track the process”.

He asked prosecution to move to the various locations and carry out search, and if the prosecution was not ready to start the case, it could equally inform the court to discharge the accused.

Justice Asare-Botwe said prosecution did not need days, weeks and months to file processes again, looking at the digital age.

At the last adjourned date, the court granted bail to the eight remaining accused in the sum of GH¢ 100,000 each, with two sureties each, all to be justified.

The court had earlier granted bail to the 85-year-old Chairman of the so-called Homeland Study Group Foundation, Mr Charles Kormi Kudjordji, at a sum of GH¢250,000.00 with two sureties, one to be justified. 

The accused will also have to report themselves to the police on Monday and Thursday every week. The court adjourned the trial to July 8.

The other accused are Mr Bisa Akorli, 54, Mr Kofi Dzereke, 39, Mr Thompson Tsigbe, 58, Mr Benjamin Agbadzada, 48, Mr Agbenyega Akudzi, 54, Mr Freemen Blikaku, 36, and Mr Nkpe Tsryiri Kudzo, 61.

They were charged with conspiracy to commit treason felony, abetment of unlawful training, unlawful assembly and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace. 

The nine were arrested by a combined team of police and military personnel at Ho on Sunday, May 5, this year, in a house, while holding a meeting to allegedly arrange to declare part of Ghana as Western Togoland, and as an independent state on May 9, 20I9. – GNA