Steve Amoussou’s Kidnapping Case: CRIET Delivers Verdict

The Court to Combat Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) examined a complaint by Steve Amoussou against his alleged kidnappers on September 3, 2024. The defendant explained during the hearing how he was kidnapped in Togo and then taken to Benin.

Steve Amoussou recounted the events of his kidnapping in Lomé, Togo on the night of August 12, 2024. “I felt the need to go and get something. I went downstairs and that’s where 04 people come to me and start a conversation. The time between the discussion and my presentation to the black spot is 20 to 25 minutes,” he explained.

During the hearing, Steve Amoussou identified two of his kidnappers as Mr. Jimmy Gandaho and Mr. Géraud Gbaguidi. However, he was unable to formally identify Ouanilo Medegan Fagla as one of the kidnappers.

The director of the National Center for Digital Investigations (CNIN) confirmed that Ouanilo Medegan Fagla’s name emerged in the conversations of the kidnappers during the Lomé-Cotonou journey. According to Steve Amoussou, the CEO of the CNIN was the one who gave orders to the kidnappers.

The kidnappers, who were prosecuted without warrant, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Steve Amoussou is demanding justice, claiming he was “kidnapped and brutalized.”

In the CRIET verdict, Jimmy Gandaho and Géraud Gbaguidi received 24 months imprisonment each, including 12 prison sentences. They will have to pay 05 million CFA francs to Steve Amoussou as compensation. The Court ordered an acquittal with the benefit of doubt for the CEO of the CNIN.

Steve Amoussou will face another court case in Criet on October 7 to answer for the “Brother Hounvi” relationship.

Real-time information on this case and more can be found on our website.

Authors: F. Aubin Ahéhéhinnou, Ignace B. Fanou