The press in Togo this week commented extensively on a case between
Prime Minister Agbéyomé Kodjo and Action Committee for Renewal
(CAR) chairman Yawovi Agboyibo, over a declaration the latter made way
back 1998.
The opposition CAR leader was dragged to court for allegedly asserting
that militiamen backed by Agbéyomé Kodjo were to blame for
the maltreatment of the population in their (Kodjo's and Agboyibo's) common
home region.
"Le Regard" intimated that proceedings were being pursued calculatedly
to send Agboyibo to jail.
Along the same parallel, "Akéklé," a newspaper close to
the Opposition wrote that "the government is manoeuvring in to have Barrister
Agboyibo arrested," but added that the authorities had denied rumours to
that effect.
The pro-government "Le Soleil" indicted Agboyibo as "a bad liar and
a false schemer," adding that the defendant was "unable to provide evidence
and was seeking to evade the law."
"Tingo Tingo," another paper close to the government, said "it is untoward
for Agboyibo to try to involve the President (Eyadéma) in the case,
which concerns only himself and Agbéyomé."
