Ivory Coast: Comedian Observateur Ebène in Jail for Defamation, His Lawyer Expresses Concern
Summoned to be heard by the Cybercrime Fighting Platform (PLCC) after a complaint was filed against him for insults, defamation, attacks on honor and image through an information system, Ivorian comedian Observateur Observateur Ebène, we learn through his lawyer Aurane Reihanian, was incarcerated on the instructions of the public prosecutor on Monday, April 15 at the Abidjan Penitentiary Center (PPA), formerly known as the Abidjan Detention and Correctional Facility (MACA).
@: Capture d’écran Youtube
The Ivorian comedian Observateur d’Ebène, whose real name is Florent Kouakou Amany, has been residing since Monday, April 15, 2024 at the Abidjan Penitentiary Center (PPA), formerly called the Abidjan Detention and Correctional Facility (MACA). He is accused of defamation. According to his lawyer, Me Aurane Reihanian, the incriminated video that prompted the complaint “dates from October, more than six months ago, making this procedure illegitimate. It is alleged that this investigation is mainly aimed at intimidating and restricting the freedom of speech of Mr. Observateur Ébène, who is now one of the most followed content creators in Africa. His videos, widely distributed on social media, are perceived as troubling by certain circles, especially those targeted by his critiques or satires”.
After three days in detention, Observateur Ebène’s legal adviser is already concerned about the detention conditions. He announced this situation in a statement signed on Tuesday, April 16, and relayed by Afrique-sur7. In this note, his lawyer, Me Aurane Reihanian, states that “this procedure is illegal since it remains reserved, according to the Ivorian Code of Criminal Procedure, for ‘the crime or misdemeanor that is being committed, or that has just been committed.’ However, the controversial video, besides having been truncated, was published in October, therefore more than six months earlier. In reality, this instruction only aims to intimidate and thus infringe upon the freedom of expression of Mr. Observateur Ébène, who is today one of the most followed content creators in Africa, and whose videos, abundantly distributed on social media, can undoubtedly disturb“.
“In this context, the defense of Mr. Observateur Ébène is concerned about the conditions of detention and especially the violations of his rights and freedoms, of whom it is usefully reminded, remains presumed innocent. This attack on freedom of expression enshrined in Article 11 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen and in the Ivorian Constitution is of infinite gravity for the future of artists and, more broadly, for all citizens,” he adds.
However, it should be noted that this is not the first time that Observateur Ebène has been involved in such a situation of attacking public figures in Ivory Coast. The comedian narrowly avoided being summoned by the Bassa couple (Didi B and his wife) whom he insulted through a video by noting what he was waiting for to have a child after a year of marriage.