Ten members of the Western Togoland separatist movement have been denied bail by the High Court in Ho after their lawyer, Atsu Agbakpe, filed a motion for bail.
The court, presided over by Justice Eric Baah denied the suspects bail upon hearing the case of the prosecution.
The prosecution, Lance Corporal James Kwasi Turkson in his affidavit said the suspects were in custody to prevent “continuous commission of the offence and assist the police complete investigations.”
It said investigations were ongoing smoothly and there had so far not been any delay to suggest that the continuous holding of the suspects was undue.
“The nature of the offence requires that the applicants are kept in custody pending trial. And there is likelihood that given the nature of the offence, if Applicants are granted bail, they will continue with their treasonable preparation and actions detrimental to the peace, unity, cohesion and orderliness of the Republic,” he argued.
The suspects, who are currently on remand in the Ho prison are currently facing trial for actions considered by the state to be treasonable.
They were arrested earlier this year when they met to declare solidarity with other members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation which is campaigning for the cessation of a part of the country known as Western Togoland.
About 21 persons who are members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation were also arrested for unlawfully gathering at the premises of Global FM in Ho.
The suspects, according to the police, are from various parts of the country including Anlo Afiadenyigba, Volo, Volo, Dambai, Obuasi, Battor, Weta, Atiavi, Fodoku.
The police, in a statement on Wednesday, said the arrest was based on intelligence that the suspects were planning to demonstrate against the judicial process involving the trial of another set of seven of their members standing trial for treason felony.
The Homeland Study Group Foundation, led by 80-year-old Charles Kormi Kudzodzi – popularly known as Papa Hogbedetor has been in the news in recent times over their campaign for the cessation of some part of the Volta Region from Ghana to be known as “Western Togoland.”
Recently in a viral video, some members of the group were seen in a supposed independence declaration event.
Ten other members of the group were earlier this week arrested by Police in Tumu for allegedly trying to convince some chiefs to support their cause.
They were subsequently put before court and remanded.