The Togolese authorities have reportedly leveled serious accusations against investigative journalist Ferdinand Ayité and Commander Olivier Amah, both currently exiled in France. They are alleged to be involved in a conspiracy against state security and acts of terrorism.
These accusations emerge as Ayité continues to criticize the Togolese government on social media, particularly through his frequent Facebook live broadcasts, where he exposes the government’s flaws.
Known for his commitment to press freedom, Ayité swiftly dismissed the charges, labeling them as baseless. In a statement, Ayité, who was one of four recipients of the 2023 CPJ International Press Freedom Award, defended his record and condemned what he sees as a desperate attempt by the Togolese authorities to discredit him.
Ayité vehemently rejects the accusations, calling them absurd: “Associating or attempting to associate me with terrorism is a desperate and unprecedented act of defamation and intimidation by the Lomé regime, which seems increasingly fragile, seeing ghosts everywhere and attacking defenseless individuals in its delusion.”
He added that he is awaiting formal documents before preparing his response, despite already having detailed information on the alleged charges: “Although I have precise information on their baseless allegations, which seem to come from a place where critical thinking no longer prevails, I am waiting for the formal documents to prepare my reply through our ‘small’ networks worldwide.”
Ayité also questioned how a journalist forced into exile and struggling for stability for the past year could finance such attacks: “They will have to explain how a journalist they forced into exile, who has been trying to find his footing for a year, could have the means to fund attacks. They must also clarify whether the attacks in northern Togo and Benin over the past two years are being funded by this same journalist.”
Ferdinand Ayité, fled Togo in March 2023, just days before being sentenced to three years in prison on charges of insulting authorities and spreading false news. His departure followed a series of legal battles with the Togolese authorities, detentions and the repeated suspension of his newspaper, L’ALTERNATIVE.