Ex-minister's body found

2008-08-16 21:34

Lome - The body of a former Togo government minister, Atsutse Kokouvi Agbobli, has been found washed up on a beach near the capital Lome, a member of his family said on Saturday.

"We have asked for an autopsy, before we pronounce his death," the family member told AFP, without giving any further details.

According to a statement issued by Togo's state security department, Agbobli, 67, tried to commit suicide on Wednesday, after swallowing a "dangerous" substance. He was found dead on Friday.

"After getting specific treatment in a clinic... he quietly left without telling the doctor and asked his driver to take him to a hotel," said the statement, carried by state news media.

"He remained missing until the body, which had washed up on a beach in the middle of Friday morning, was found after identification to be his."

Agbobli was minister of communications and later minister responsible for parliamentary affairs under the regime of General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who died in February 2005.

He was also president of the opposition National Development Movement, headed the political affairs department of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, and worked as a writer, journalist and historian.

- AFP