A Nigerian man on holiday in Togo is reportedly serving a jail term after allegedly calling a woman a “prostitute” during an argument at a hotel, sparking debate about speech, sexism and defamation laws in West Africa.

The incident came to light through an X user identified as John, who said the detained man is his neighbour. According to John, the neighbour had informed friends and colleagues that he was travelling to Togo for a short vacation, but then vanished from contact, prompting concerns that he was missing.

John later claimed the man had in fact been arrested and jailed after a confrontation with a woman at his hotel. During the dispute, the Nigerian allegedly insulted her, using the word “ashawo” – a common Nigerian slang term for “prostitute” that is widely regarded as demeaning and misogynistic.

In his posts, John described his neighbour as a habitual misogynist who frequently resorted to slut-shaming language when arguing with women. He said the same behaviour appeared to have landed him in trouble in Togo, where, according to John’s account, calling a woman a prostitute without proof is treated as a criminal offence under the country’s defamation and insult laws.

John wrote that hotel staff or bystanders reportedly alerted authorities after the altercation, leading to the man’s arrest. He further claimed that once charged, the Nigerian was remanded in custody and is now serving a sentence, with Togo’s justice system allegedly applying uniform penalties across a range of offences.

Legal analysts note that several Francophone West African countries, including Togo, maintain strict criminal defamation and insult provisions that can cover accusations of prostitution when they cannot be substantiated. Such laws are often used to protect personal honour and reputation, and can carry fines or custodial sentences.

The case, as described online, has triggered mixed reactions. Some social media users expressed concern about the severity of the reported punishment for an insult, while others argued that the episode highlights the consequences of casual verbal abuse and entrenched misogyny. John himself concluded that the neighbour’s reported imprisonment “serves him right,” framing it as a cautionary tale for Nigerians who travel abroad but fail to adjust their behaviour to local laws and norms.