Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson: Togo CDPA Attack Inquiry Stalls, Police Promoted

• An investigation into a September 29, 2024 attack on the CDPA headquarters in Lomé has stalled, two years after the incident.
• DMP MP Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson alleges the inquiry ceased progress after its lead officer was promoted to Director General of Police.
• Adjamagbo-Johnson attributes the blockage to a "lack of political will," suggesting it serves as a form of intimidation.
• The DMP has repeatedly called for the investigation's results to be made public.
• The MP threatens to pursue international justice if the domestic inquiry remains unresolved.

This development signals potential political interference in criminal investigations within Togo, raising concerns for legal practitioners about the rule of law and the efficacy of domestic justice mechanisms in politically sensitive cases.

Two years following a violent assault on the headquarters of the Convention Démocratique des Peuples Africains (CDPA) in Lomé, a prominent member of the Democratic Movement of the People (DMP), Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, has voiced serious concerns regarding the stalled investigation. The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2024, saw individuals attack DMP officials, Senegalese Member of Parliament Guy Marius Sagna, and journalists during a public gathering. Adjamagbo-Johnson, a DMP MP, asserts that while the inquiry initially showed promise, it subsequently ground to a halt.

According to the MP, the investigation into the aggression began effectively, with various individuals, including herself and other victims, being interviewed by authorities. This initial phase suggested a diligent process was underway. However, the momentum of the inquiry dissipated, leading to its current state of inactivity. Adjamagbo-Johnson points to a specific development as the turning point: the transfer and subsequent promotion of the police officer originally tasked with leading the investigation.

This officer, she noted, has since ascended to the position of Director General of Police. Despite this continuity within the administrative structure, the actual progress of the investigation into the CDPA attack ceased. The MP's remarks, made during a press conference at the CDPA headquarters on September 29, highlight a critical juncture where an active inquiry became dormant, raising questions about the commitment to justice for the victims of the aggression.

Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson attributes the investigative paralysis not to accidental circumstances but to a deliberate "lack of political will" to see the process through to its conclusion. She posits that the authorities are not eager to shed light on these acts of violence, suggesting that the unresolved nature of the case serves a strategic purpose. This perceived inaction, she argues, functions as a form of intimidation, designed to discourage journalists from carrying out their work and to deter citizens from engaging with governance issues.

The DMP has previously issued multiple communiqués publicly demanding that the findings of the investigation be disclosed. The promotion of the lead investigator to Director General of Police, in Adjamagbo-Johnson's view, underscores the potential for political influence to impede criminal proceedings, particularly in cases with sensitive political undertones. This development signals potential political interference in criminal investigations within Togo, raising concerns for legal practitioners about the rule of law and the efficacy of domestic justice mechanisms in politically sensitive cases.

In light of the ongoing stalemate and the alleged lack of political will, Adjamagbo-Johnson has issued a stern warning: if the domestic inquiry into the Togo CDPA attack investigation remains unresolved, the DMP is prepared to escalate the matter to international justice bodies. This threat underscores the profound frustration with the current state of affairs and the perceived failure of national institutions to deliver justice for the victims of the aggression.

The prospect of seeking international intervention highlights a growing distrust in the domestic legal framework's ability to handle politically charged cases impartially. Lawyers advising NGOs or human rights organizations should monitor the threatened international justice action for precedent, as such a move could set a significant benchmark for accountability in similar situations across the region. The call for international justice reflects a broader concern that the rule of law is being undermined, potentially leaving victims without recourse within their own country.

This development signals potential political interference in criminal investigations within Togo, raising concerns for legal practitioners about the rule of law and the efficacy of domestic justice mechanisms in politically sensitive cases. Lawyers advising NGOs or human rights organizations should monitor the threatened international justice action for precedent.

Source: Original reporting via Togolese media