On February 27, the Togo military appeals court reached a verdict in the case related to the death of Colonel Bitala Madjoulba, which occurred in 2020. The court upheld the initial ruling but increased the sentences across the board for the accused, averaging five additional years. The most significant sentence was given to Félix Kadangha, the former chief of staff, who received a 30-year prison term, marking an increase of ten years from the first trial.

In addition to Kadangha, six other co-defendants, including senior officers and individuals involved in the incident, faced heightened penalties. Notably, the corporal chief Songuine Yendoukoua, who was the driver for the late Colonel Madjoulba, saw his sentence rise sharply from 15 years to 25 years. The court's decision illustrates the severity with which the Togolese military judiciary addresses cases involving high-ranking officials and incidents that occurred during their service.

The defense attorney for two of the defendants, Me Claude Amegan, expressed disappointment with the outcome, suggesting that the evidence presented during the trial did not warrant such increased sentences. This case has raised questions about accountability and justice within the Togolese military framework, reflecting broader implications for military oversight and human rights issues in Togo amidst ongoing controversies surrounding governance and legal processes.