Two individuals close to Benin’s president, arrested last week on charges of plotting a coup in the West African nation, have been remanded in custody pending their trial, according to one of their lawyers on Tuesday.
Olivier Boko, a businessman and long-time associate of President Patrice Talon, along with former sports minister Oswald Homeky, face charges of “conspiracy against state security, embezzlement, and money laundering,” as stated by their lawyer, Ayodele Ahounou.
The arrests followed accusations that the two men attempted to bribe the president’s security chief to carry out a coup.
On Tuesday, Homeky was allegedly caught handing six bags of money to the commander of the Republican Guard, according to Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s financial crimes and terrorism court.
Alleged mastermind
Boko, often referred to as Talon’s “right-hand man,” is believed to have orchestrated the coup attempt and was arrested separately in the capital, Cotonou.
He had recently shown interest in running for the presidency in the 2026 election.
Both men are currently in pre-trial detention, confirmed Ahounou.
Benin, traditionally one of Africa’s most stable democracies, has seen President Talon accused of using the judicial system to target political opponents since coming to power in 2016. He revised electoral laws in 2021, consolidating his grip on power.
After winning reelection three years ago, Talon pledged not to pursue a third term in the 2026 election, as the country’s constitution restricts presidents to two terms.
