Two individuals with close ties to Benin's President have been detained pending trial after being accused of involvement in a coup plot in the small West African nation. The suspects, a prominent businessman named Olivier Boko and a former sports minister named Oswald Homeky, face charges of conspiracy against state security, corruption of public funds, and money laundering.
The arrests came after allegations surfaced that the men had attempted to bribe the head of the president's security detail to orchestrate a coup. Homeky was apprehended while reportedly transferring a significant sum of money to the commander of the Republican Guard.
Boko, who is considered a key ally of President Patrice Talon, is believed to be the mastermind behind the coup scheme. His arrest in the capital city of Cotonou followed his expressed interest in running for president in the 2026 election.
Both suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention as they await further legal proceedings. The case has raised concerns in Benin, a country known for its political stability, about potential misuse of the justice system for political purposes.
President Talon, who has been in power since 2016, has faced criticism for allegedly targeting his opponents through legal means and amending electoral laws to strengthen his hold on power. Despite winning re-election in 2021, Talon had pledged not to seek a third term, in accordance with the country's constitutional limit of two presidential terms.
