Chad provincial council leader arrested in N’Djamena over defamation claims

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

The arrest occurred at the La Résidence hotel just before 5:00 PM, following a legal complaint filed for defamation and public insults. The case stems from accusations made by Goudje Gueillet Hemchi and Kodou Omari, who allege that Ahmat Bedei Toullomi spread false claims on social media, implicating them in a cocaine trafficking operation in Chad.

The complainants firmly deny these allegations, calling them « completely false, baseless, and deceitful, » adding that the accusations have severely damaged their reputation and personal integrity.

A warrant for Ahmat Bedei Toullomi’s arrest was issued on August 4, 2026, by the public prosecutor’s office near the N’Djamena Court of First Instance, requiring him to appear for questioning regarding the charges against him.

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

Minutes after his detention, a statement was posted on his Facebook page at 5:10 PM, reading: « Either the Marshal stands with all of us, or the traffickers are stronger than the law. I have been abducted. »

At this stage, the detention remains part of a formal legal procedure.