Nine jailed in first Togolese pirate trial

Nine men who attempted to hijack the tanker G-Dona 1 during the night of May 1st 2019 have become the first-ever defendants to be tried and convicted of piracy in Togo.

A total of 10 pirates including seven Nigerians, two Togolese and one Ghanaian were convicted of “maritime piracy, wilful violence and groups of criminals [sic]”.

The Ghanaian, who is on the run, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. One Togolese was acquitted and the other eight men were given sentences ranging from 12 to 15 years.

“People should understand that piracy and armed robbery at sea will be punished. And for these sea offenses, we will be uncompromising,” prosecutor Kodjo Gnambi Garba told reporters.