Tchad: provincial council president detained in N’Djamena over defamation complaint

Ahmat Bedei Toullomi, the president of the Borkou Provincial Council, was taken into custody on Thursday late afternoon in N’Djamena and escorted to the General Coordination of the Criminal Police, according to security sources.

The detention occurred inside the premises of the La Résidence hotel, just before 5 p.m. It follows a legal proceeding initiated after a defamation and public insult complaint was filed against him.

Reviewed documents indicate the complaint was lodged by Goudje Gueillet Hemchi and Kodou Omari, who accuse Ahmat Bedei Toullomi of publishing multiple social media posts accusing them of involvement in a cocaine trafficking ring operating in Chad.

The complainants firmly deny these claims, labeling them as “completely false, baseless, and deceitful,” and argue that the allegations have severely damaged their reputation and personal integrity.

Legal proceedings and prior summons

A warrant for his arrest was issued on August 4, 2026, by the prosecutor’s office attached to the Court of First Instance in N’Djamena, requiring him to appear and respond to the accusations made against him.

Investigations reveal that the president of the Borkou Provincial Council had previously been summoned multiple times but failed to respond. After more than ten days without compliance, law enforcement proceeded with his detention to ensure his appearance before the relevant authorities for questioning.

Reaction on social media

Within minutes of his detention, a message was posted at 5:10 p.m. on his Facebook page stating: “Either the Marshal stands with us all, or the traffickers are stronger than the law. I’ve been abducted.”

At this stage, the detention is strictly part of a formal legal investigation and is not an arbitrary act.