Benin: artist Gbèzé Zèguèzougou from Aklamkpa sentenced and remanded in custody
The Dada Gbèzè artist was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with an order for immediate detention, for defamation against Juliette Gbaguidi, also known as Beauté Ronde. The singer affectionately nicknamed “Zèguèzougou” from Aklamkpa and several co-defendants are accused of defaming cultural promoter Juliette Gbaguidi, known by the pseudonym Beauté Ronde.
SUMMARY
The Cotonou Court of First Instance delivered its verdict this Friday and the artist Dada Gbèzè, also known as “Zèguèzougou” from Aklamkpa, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, consisting of 6 months custodial and 6 months suspended, for remarks deemed defamatory and insulting toward Juliette Gbaguidi.
According to the judgment, the singer is accused of releasing a song containing offensive and slanderous lyrics about the plaintiff, thereby damaging her honor and reputation.
A symbolic victory for Juliette Gbaguidi, aka Beauté Ronde
At the courthouse exit, Juliette Gbaguidi did not hide her satisfaction. Speaking to the press, she praised the Beninese court’s decision, saying that justice has finally been served.
“To all those who think Beninese justice is corrupt, I say no and no. It has just proven that it is impartial. True, the case lasted several years, but the truth has finally prevailed. I thank the judiciary and my lawyers who made it possible for the law to be spoken today. He called me a prostitute who would sleep with dogs in France. I turned a blind eye at first, but he reoffended by comparing my image to that of a chimpanzee on TikTok and by posting videos of me dancing to his insulting song.”
In this case, which dates back to 2017, Juliette Gbaguidi says she “blew the whistle” by taking the matter to Beninese courts. She praised the involvement of the National Institute for Women. “There were moments when I doubted, but thanks to the National Institute for Women (INF) and my lawyers, we obtained justice. My children and I are relieved today after all the humiliations suffered,” she said.
The highly publicized case had pitted the artist against the cultural promoter for several years over comments judged defamatory in videos, songs and social media posts. Already in March 2024, Dada Gbèzè had been sentenced to 12 months in prison and fined 50 million CFA francs, but without an order for immediate detention. His lawyers then appealed, suspending the execution of the sentence. The verdict handed down this Friday thus closes a long judicial chapter.
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