Benin Republic Foils Coup Plot, Detains Top Commander and Ex-Minister

Benin Republic Military Offiçers on patrol

By Yahaya Idris

The Benin Republic authorities have arrested three individuals, including Republican Guard Commander Djimon Tevoedjre, former Sports Minister Oswald Homeky, and businessman Olivier Boko, on alleged plotting a coup planned for September 27, 2024.

Homeky was caught delivering 1.5 billion CFA francs ($2.5 million) to Tevoedjre for the coup, and Boko, who plans to run for president in 2026, was arrested in Cotonou.

Benin grapples with escalating political tensions and security concerns as the investigation unfolds.

Prosecutors in Benin Republic say they have foiled a suspected coup plot set for Friday.

Benin’s special prosecutor for financial crimes and terrorism, Elonm Metonou, issued a statement Wednesday revealing that Oswald Homeky, ex-sports minister, was intercepted Tuesday night while handing over six bags of cash to Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the republican guard and President Patrice Talon’s security chief.

Metonou stated that the bag contained 1.5 billion West African CFA francs, approximately $2.5 million.

Authorities reported that the suspects created a bank account in Côte d’Ivoire on August 6 under the commander’s name, and then transported the money using Homeky’s Toyota Prado with counterfeit license plates.

Further details disclosed that Olivier Boko, a respected businessperson, was arrested in Cotonou, Benin’s key commercial city.

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