September 26, (THEWILL) – Authorities in Benin Republic have arrested three persons including a Presidential Guard Commander, a former Sports minister, Oswald Homeky and a businessman, Olivier Boko, over allegations of plotting a coup against President Patrice Talon.
Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, said the alleged coup was planned to take place on Friday.
“It appears the Republican Guard commander in charge of the president’s security was engaged by the minister, Oswald Homeky and Olivier Boko, in order to carry out a coup by force on September 27, 2024”, the prosecutor said.
Metonou said Homeky was detained at around 1am on Tuesday, as he was handing over six bags of cash totalling 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to the commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre.
Boko, known as a longtime friend of President Patrice Talon, was arrested separately overnight Monday to Tuesday in Benin’s economic capital of Cotonou, prosecutor told the court.
He had recently started indicating that he would make a run for the presidency in 2026, when Talon’s second term in office ends.
According to investigators, Homeky and Boko paid off the military commander to not resist the planned coup.
Metonou said investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects.
Benin security forces have been on high alert after a series of attacks linked to violence from an insurgent uprising with its origins in the Sahel region that has spilled across its borders.
Since 2020, neighbouring countries have experienced eight successful military takeovers and several attempts.
Talon, who has led Benin since 2016, faces criticism for what critics say is becoming an increasingly authoritarian rule.
Some observers argue that his policies have eroded democratic standards in the country.
Benin’s security forces have been on high alert after a series of attacks linked to violence from a jihadist uprising with origins in the Sahel region that has spilt across its borders.
