L’Alternative journalists sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in Togo
A court has sentenced two journalists in Togo to three years’ imprisonment.
Their lawyer revealed this during the week.
Ferdinand Ayite and Kokou Kouwonou (also known as Isidore Kouwonou), director and editor of the biweekly newspaper L’Alternative, respectively, were charged in December 2021 with public contempt of authority and propagating falsehoods on social media.
The charges followed complaints by Justice Minister Pius Kokouvi Agbetomey and Commerce Minister Kodjo Adedze over a YouTube broadcast.
On Wednesday, a court in Lome “sentenced Ferdinand Ayite and Isidore Kouwonou to three years in prison and handed down a $4,900 fine to each,” said their lawyer Elom Kpade.
Rights groups often accuse President Faure Gnassingbe of cracking down on opposition figures and journalists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has denounced the sentencing.
“Togolese authorities should immediately cease their legal harassment of journalists Ferdinand Ayite and Isidore Kouwonou and allow them to work freely,” said Angela Quintal, the CPJ’s Africa program coordinator.
Ms Quintal added, “Journalistic commentary on issues of public interest should never be criminalised, and the summonses issued to these journalists should be scrapped at once.”
The journalists are currently in hiding.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
FG’s reforms repositioning Nigeria for economic growth: Minister
Mr Idris said fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the foreign exchange have restored confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.
NationWide
Tinubu declines assent to RMRDC, CIPSM bills over legal concerns
The president said that, subject to resolving the grey areas, the bill might be suitable for retransmission and assent after the necessary legislative amendments.
NationWide
Access Bank, partners expand access to education for 14,000 vulnerable children
“Investment in education creates lasting and intergenerational impact for communities,” Mr Ogbonna said.
States
UITH resident doctors begin five-day warning strike over attack on member
Mr Oladepo said that a female senior registrar in the pediatrics department was assaulted on Wednesday after treating a two-year-old baby, who later died.
NationWide
Soldiers’ salary increased from N49,000 to N100,000, says defence minister
Mr Musa also called for tougher penalties for kidnappers.
