By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A former Minister of Sports in Benin Republic, Oswald Homeky has been arrested over alleged coup plot in the West African country, government prosecutor has announced.
He was arrested along with a businessman, Olivier Boko, an ally of President Patrice Talon who had earlier declared that he had a political ambition.
At a press conference, special prosecutor at Benin’s financial crimes and terrorism court alleged that the man in charge of presidential guard was being bribed not to halt a coup attempt.
The three are currently being held in detention.
“It appears that the Republican Guard commander in charge of the president’s security was engaged by Homeky and Boko to carry out a coup d’etat by force on Sept. 27,” the prosecutor said.
According to prosecutors, Homeky was caught on Tuesday handing over six bags of money to the head of the Republican Guard.
Boko’s lawyers and supporters condemned what they called his “abduction” and have demanded his immediate release.
Investigations are ongoing to identify further suspects, the prosecutor said.
Despite efforts made in recent times to stabilize democracy in the country, Heritage Times HT gathered that right groups have alleged that the country under Patrice Talon is gradually sliding into autocracy.
President Talon has however indicated interest to step down and not to seek a third term in office in the 2026 elections.
Coup attempts have become recurrent in West Africa in recent times, with Heritage Times HT recalling at least eight military takeovers and several other coup attempts in the sub-region since 2020.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are currently under military rule.
