The Togolese journalists Ferdinand Ayite and Isidore Kouwonou, respectively Director of Publication and Editor-in-Chief of the Togolese investigative newspaper L’ALTERNATIVE will be tried again on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Lomé Court of Appeal, we learn.
On this World Press Freedom Day, the journalists Isidore and Ferdinand receive another news. They are once again invited to reappear before Court.
Nevertheless, the two colleagues had been sentenced to three (03) years in prison with fines, then the Togolese authorities issued arrest warrants against them.
This reversal in this case which opposes the journalists to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Local Consumption, Kodjo Adedze and his colleague in charge of Justice, Pius Kokouvi Agbetomey is linked to the fact that the lawyer for the accused, Me Elom Kpadé appealed against the decision of the court of first instance of Lomé.
After a refusal, the appeal has finally be granted. Therefore, the Court of Appeal of Lomé sent a summons to the lawyer of the two journalists who are called to appear before this court on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Isidore and Ferdinand are accused of insulting representatives of public authority and spreading fake news. So far, their whereabouts are unknown. Ferdinand Ayite recently reassured that he is doing well while announcing the cessation of activities of his newspaper.
