Graphic Online
BY: Justice Agbenorsi
705
A magistrate of the Kaneshie District Court has urged the prosecution handling the case involving the 22 people who are alleged to have participated in secessionist activities supposedly intended to break away parts of the Volta Region from Ghana to expedite investigations into the matter for committal proceedings to commence.
The presiding magistrate, Ms Ama Adomako Kwakye, has also advised counsel in the case to seek bail application at the appropriate forum, as her court had no jurisdiction to grant bail to the accused persons.
She said it was the trial court that had jurisdiction to grant bail.
There was drama at the Kaneshie District Court premises on Monday when the police picked up a man believed to be in his early 30 s.
It was unclear what his offence was.
The man, whose name was not readily known, was picked up after he showed up at the hearing of the case of the alleged fake lawyer, who was nabbed for representing some secessionists in court.
The man was always in court anytime the case of the alleged secessionist came up for hearing.
Denis Seyram Benson, the alleged fake lawyer, is standing trial with 21 others on the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime namely treason felony, conspiracy to commit crime namely causing damage and causing unlawful damage.
Fake lawyer and 21 secessionists back in court The alleged fake lawyer who was nabbed for representing some secessionists in court was on Tuesday charged together with the other accused in the matter. Denis Seyram Benson is now standing trial with 21 others on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime namely treason felony, conspiracy to commit crime namely causing damage and causing unlawful damage. Benson’s lawyer, Rexford Nii Nortey Lokko vehemently opposed to the inclusion of his client’s name to the list of alleged secessionists. According to Mr. Lokko, Benson had never taken part in any activities of the alleged secessionists, adding that, he was only arrested on December 17, this year for allegedly posing as a lawyer for the alleged secessionists.
Twenty-two persons, including a self-styled lawyer, Dennis Seyram Benson, who allegedly are members of the prohibited organisation, Western Togoland Foundation, and related organisations, have been remanded into lawful custody by a Kaneshie District Court.
The accused persons, who are facing charges of conspiracy to commit crime, namely treason, and causing unlawful damage, were denied bail by the Magistrate Court, which concluded that its lacked jurisdiction to grant bail in such matters.
This was as the defence counsels – Theophillus Donkor, Kinsley Kwame Dabzoe and Rexford Nii Nettey Lokko – for the accused persons pleaded with the court, presided over by Her Honour Mrs Ama Adumakoma Kwarkye, to grant them bail.