Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has recommended a one-year suspension of Attorney Gbawou Kowou’s law license over his handling of allegations that defense witnesses in the ongoing Saudi-donated rice trial were intimidated by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT).
In a ruling delivered Friday, October 9, 2026, Judge Feika referred Kowou to the Supreme Court’s Grievance and Ethics Committee for further investigation, accusing the lawyer of unethical and unprofessional conduct.
Kowou, who represents defendant Wayfa Ciafa, had filed a Bill of Information alleging that members of the Group of 77 who testified for the defense were harassed, threatened and pressured to change their testimonies during a visit to AREPT’s offices on Sunday, October 4.
But after hearing witnesses and reviewing video footage and photographs of the incident, the court said the allegations were not supported by the evidence presented during the investigation.
We will bring you full details in our subsequent broadcast.
