Côte d’Ivoire: Controversial pseudo-journalist Saïd Penda convicted of defamation against the EBOMAF Group!
The decision has been handed down. According to a statement released by the management of the EBOMAF Group, the self-styled journalist Saïd Penda; pursued since June 2025 for defamation and dissemination of false information against the CEO of EBOMAF has been found guilty by the Plateau Court of First Instance. Sentenced to six months in prison, he will now answer for his actions before the law.
This firm judicial decision deserves to be commended, as it sends a clear signal: in Côte d’Ivoire, slander and disinformation will not go unpunished.
This case, which had been ongoing for several months, highlighted the havoc that defamatory statements disseminated without evidence can cause.
By claiming to establish alleged “direct relationships” between the CEO of EBOMAF and Ivorian authorities, Saïd Penda knowingly crossed the red line that separates the right to information from an attack on reputation.
Through his false accusations, he not only damaged the honor of a business leader but also attempted to discredit legitimate institutional relationships.
In rendering this decision, the Plateau Court of First Instance performed a valuable service.
In an environment where social media and certain pseudo-journalists do not hesitate to spread baseless allegations, a judicial response was expected.
By imposing a prison sentence, the Ivorian judiciary reminds us that freedom of expression cannot be a license to harm.
Protecting the honor of the citizens and the reputation of companies that contribute to the country’s economic development is part of its fundamental mission.
This conviction is excellent news for all those who have been targeted by such practices.
Victims of defamation find here a reason for hope: the judiciary can and does protect the innocent against destabilization campaigns.
For the EBOMAF Group, a major player in West Africa’s industrial and mining sector, this decision puts an end to months of slander aimed at tarnishing a reputation built on decades of work and investment.
Beyond this specific case, the ruling sets an important precedent. It reminds those who operate in the shadows that social media are not a lawless zone.
From now on, those who choose the path of defamation know that they will have to answer for it in court.
By firmly convicting Saïd Penda, the Plateau court has delivered a verdict that goes beyond the purely judicial framework.
It is a victory for the rule of law, for truth, and for all those who believe that honor and dignity deserve to be protected. A lesson in firmness that does credit to Ivorian justice.
Cédric KABORE
