Leader of the group Mr Charles Kormi Kudjordjie, also known as Papavi Hogbedetor
Leader of the group Mr Charles Kormi Kudjordjie, also known as Papavi Hogbedetor

The 85-year-old leader of the separatist group Homeland Study Group Foundation has been granted bail to the sum of GhC250,000.

The court also ordered Charles Kormi Kudzordzi popularly known as Papavi Hogbedetor to report himself twice to the police.

Seven others who were also arrested over the weekend have been remanded in police custody to re-appear on May 22, 2019. They have been charged with high treason.

Meanwhile, the police said they have rounded up 81 members of the group on Wednesday in Ho ahead of a planned demonstration.

The secessionists were part of the Homeland Study Group Foundation seeking to declare the Volta region an independent state.

The police said they were planning a demonstration on Thursday against the arrest of their leaders over the weekend.

“The Volta Regional Police Command arrested 81 members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation for their involvement in an intended demonstration against the arrest of their leaders,” a statement from the police said.

“All the suspects were arrested per intelligence jointly by the Police and Military at various entry points to the Municipality. 54 suspects were arrested aboard a bus whilst entering Ho from Aflao direction. 17 were arrested in the house of the leader of the group, Charles Kormi Kudzordzi, [Papavi Hogbedetor] near the 66 Artillery Regiment Barracks and ten were also arrested at other entry points to Ho Municipality. All the suspects including two women are currently assisting Police investigations,” CPL Prince Dogbatse said in the statement.

It added: “The Volta Regional Police Command hereby assures the general public of their safety and urges everyone to remain calm in the face of recent happenings in the region. Again, the general public is encouraged to at all times follow due process as spelt out in the Public Order Act.”

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM