Former Togolese Armed Forces Chief Faces Accusations in Colonel’s Murder Case

In Togo, the military tribunal continues the interrogation of the accused in the case of the assassination of Colonel Bitala Madjoulba, the chief commander of the first rapid intervention battalion. His body was found in his office on the morning of May 4, 2020, leading to an investigation and the arrest of several individuals.

October 26, 2023, marks the fourth day of the trial related to the death of Colonel Bitala Madjoulba. The former Chief of Staff of the Togolese Armed Forces, General Abalo Kadangha defended himself against charges of obstructing the proper functioning of justice, complicity in the murder, and complicity against the internal security of the state.

General Kadangha took the stand to respond to the accusations of obstructing justice, complicity in the murder, and complicity against the state’s internal security. From the outset on Thursday, the general denied all allegations. Reportedly claimed that Colonel Madjoulba was like a son to him and asserted that he had no involvement in his murder.

According to sources from the courts, when the prosecutor asked him, “Why did you send the army’s investigative unit to the scene when the gendarmerie was already conducting an investigation?” He replied that he authorized the Military Investigative Unit (USM), responsible for internal investigations. He stated that their work led to the murder weapon, which happened to be Colonel Bitala Madjoulba’s own firearm.

The prosecutor continued, “Did you deliberately organize a parallel investigation to divert and obstruct the work of the judicial police?” Once again, the general denied these allegations.

Moreover, the defense lawyers pointed out missing evidence in the case, including the examination of the victim’s phones and the absence of fingerprints on the weapon, and requested a counter-expertise.

As a reminder, Colonel Bitala Madjoulba was found dead in his office shortly after attending the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s president, Faure Gnassingbé, for a fourth five-year term.
Further hearings are scheduled for Friday, October 27.