On November 4, 2026, the Burkinabé prosecutor's office requested a 24-month prison sentence and a 2 million CFA franc fine for lawyer Ini Esther Doli, accused of defamation against Ouagadougou's municipal police. The charges stem from Facebook posts made on August 15, 2026, following the demolition of the Allah Ti Kouma maquis, allegedly a prostitution hub.
The case was brought before the Ouagadougou I Court of Appeal after a complaint from the Ouagadougou commune. Doli's Facebook posts, made after the maquis demolition, were deemed an attack on the honor and consideration of municipal police officers. In one post, she allegedly wrote that a thorough investigation would reveal former or current clients among those fighting prostitution.
At the hearing, Doli denied any intention to specifically target the municipal police, stating her comments were part of a general reflection on actors involved in prostitution. The prosecution, however, argued that her statements were defamatory and linked to the police. The plaintiff, the Ouagadougou commune, requested the court to declare Doli guilty and pay a symbolic franc in damages.
Doli's defense team argued that the intention to harm and the connection between the alleged defamatory statements and the municipal police were not established. They also deemed the prosecutor's requests excessive, citing Doli's removal of the posts and a letter of apology to the special delegation's president.
The case has been adjourned, with the Ouagadougou I Court of Appeal set to deliver its verdict on November 25, 2026. On that date, Doli will learn her fate. The court's decision will determine whether Doli will face imprisonment and a fine for her alleged defamation.
According to the Agence d'information du Burkina (AIB), the case originated from a complaint by the Ouagadougou commune. The commune's special delegation established a link between Doli's statements and the maquis demolition, which occurred on August 14, 2026, following a court order.
The court's verdict will have significant implications for Doli's career and the broader discussion on free speech in Burkina Faso. As the country continues to navigate issues of governance and human rights, this case will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including human rights groups and the legal community.
Key points
- The Burkinabé prosecutor's office has requested a 24-month prison sentence and a 2 million CFA franc fine for lawyer Ini Esther Doli.
- Doli's alleged defamation stems from Facebook posts made on August 15, 2026, following the demolition of the Allah Ti Kouma maquis.
- The Ouagadougou I Court of Appeal will deliver its verdict on November 25, 2026.
