Benin Republic Arrests Presidential Guard Commander, 2 Others Over Suspected Coup Plot
- A presidential guard commander, a former sports minister, and a businessman, have all been arrested and detained by the Republic of Benin prosecutors on suspicion of plotting a “coup d’etat” in the French-speaking nation
- According to Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, the alleged coup was planned for Friday, September 27
- Legit.ng reports that there have been several military coups in West and Central Africa since 2020
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering global issues.
Porto-Novo, Benin Republic - Benin Republic's prosecutor have said a former sports minister, Oswald Homeky, and a prominent businessman have been detained on suspicion of plotting a coup.
As reported by Reuters, Homeky was caught after 1am on Tuesday, September 24, while handing over six bags of cash totalling 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to the head of the republican guard.
Source: Getty Images
Legit.ng reports that the commander also oversees President Patrice Talon's security.
AFP News quoted Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin's court for financial crimes and terrorism, as saying the alleged coup was planned for Friday, September 27.
Metonou said on Wednesday, September 25:
"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."
Africa has experienced at least seven coups since August 2020.
According to some analysts, a lack of democratic dividends for the population is the major reason why coups have been thriving in Africa.
Although critics argue that military coups have placed democracy in Africa at a critical juncture, the ruling military juntas in Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea remain defiant.
Nigeria's army opposes coup
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the chief of army staff (COAS) of Nigeria, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, said the military has absolutely no desire to truncate Nigeria’s long-standing democracy.
Lagbaja's statement followed rumoured coup plots in some quarters in the country.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
