The High Court, Criminal Division has convicted five (5) accused persons after finding them guilty of offences contrary to the Prohibited Organisations Act. 1976 (SMCD 20).
The charges under SMCD 20 proffered against the accused persons were; attending meetings of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(b) of SMCD 20, making Contributions to the funds of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(g) of SMCD 20, participating in the Campaign of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(d) of SMCD 20 and being a member of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(i) of SMCD 20.
During the trial on March 16, 2023, the Trial judge Her Lasyship Mary E Yanzur found the 1st accused person, Ebenezer Gblorkpor guilty and convicted him Counts 1, 2 and 4.
The 2nd accused person, Afetorgbor Kpogo was found guilty and convicted on Count 1 whilst the 3rd accused person, Joseph Nyamewu, the 4th accused person, Wisdom Kuvor and the 5th accused person Israel Bessah Kpexor were all found guilty and convicted on Counts 3 and 4.
BRIEF FACTS
The Homeland Study Group is an organisation with the primary aim to secede the Volta and Oti Regions, from the territories of Ghana.
The Western Togoland Restoration Front is an offshoot of HSG, established by Michael Koku Kwabla a.k.a Togbe Yesu.
The WTRF’s main aim was to use force to secede the Volta and Oti Regions from Ghana, to form a new state to be called ‘Western Togoland’.
It was established by Michael Koku Kwabla. Together with his righthand-man, Charles Elo, they recruited persons to attend WTRF meetings, become members, participate in the group’s campaign and make contributions to the cause of WTRF.
WTRF hatched a plan to campaign and protest for the secession of the Volta and Oti Regions.
They planned to campaign and protest by blocking roads that led to the Volta Region from Accra, with sand and burning tyres. On 25th September 2020 at dawn, WTRF set the plans in motion.
They divided themselves into groups. One group blocked the Aveyime road from Accra, with trips of sand and burning tyres. The other WTRF groups proceeded to attack the Aveyime and Mepe police stations of the Ghana Police Service.
They wielded guns and other weapons and used same to overpower the policemen. They freed inmates from the cells, broke into the armoury of the stations and stole arms and ammunition including; 13 AK 47 assault rifles; 2 pistols; 5 pump action guns; 1 short gun; 2 mack-3 guns; 1 mack-4 gun; 3 SMG rifles; 11 rubber bullets; 25 rounds of 37mm tear gas cartridges; and about 300 rounds of AK47.
They also stole a police patrol vehicle with registration number GP 195, proceeded to attack the barracks and made away with monies and other items belonging to the police residents and their families.
A Police team was sent from Sogakokpe to go and restore calm at Aveyime and Mepe. When they reached Aveyime, the team was attacked by WTRF members. Three police officers were injured and their leader, Chief Superintendent Dennis Fiakpui was shot.
The signboard of the Police Service was defaced by WTRF members. They erased ‘Ghana’ from the phrase ‘Ghana Police Service’ printed on the signboard. They hang and displayed what they claimed to be flags of their new country (Western Togoland).
In the midst of the road blockage and attacks on Aveyime and Mepe police stations, the WTRF members also jubilated and chanted “freedom freedom”.
Police investigations led to the arrest of the accused persons. Prosecution and conviction.
Prosecution was conducted by Ms. Adoma Osei Senior State Attorney of the Office of the Attorney-General.
Meanwhile, sentencing has been deferred to 21st March 2023.
