A traditional practitioner from Bohicon, Benin, has filed a complaint with the Cour de répression des infractions économiques et du terrorisme (Criet) against two individuals who allegedly took 45 million FCFA from him in exchange for a ministerial position. The complainant, who is under 40 years old and a resident of Bohicon, claims to have been misled by the two accused, an agent of the Agence nationale d’identification des personnes (Anip) and a cultural administrator.
According to the complainant, the ordeal began when an acquaintance he had treated proposed to connect him with an individual nicknamed "Caïman," who was said to be close to the head of state and capable of opening doors to politics. Although the first attempt yielded no results, the complainant later met one of the accused, who claimed to work with the two children of former President Patrice Talon. The complainant purchased several gifts for them, which he believed would facilitate his appointment.
The complainant was subsequently introduced to the second accused, who claimed to be an advisor to the former head of state. During a meeting in Cotonou, the second accused allegedly told the complainant that his profile interested the president and that a nomination to the ministry of culture was possible. However, he was told that certain advisors needed to be persuaded first. The complainant claims to have made an initial payment of 2.5 million FCFA, followed by additional payments between 2018 and 2026, totaling 45 million FCFA.
Despite making the payments, the complainant was never appointed to the position. Feeling victimized, he took his case to court. The Criet heard his deposition during an audience on October 29, 2026, but adjourned the case to December 3, 2026, for further proceedings. The complainant, who identifies as a militant of the Union progressiste le Renouveau (Upr) in Savalou, expressed his disappointment and frustration at being deceived.
The two accused, who are facing charges of fraud, were not heard during the audience. According to Bip Radio, only the complainant's deposition was heard, and the court will hear from the accused during the next session. The case has sparked concerns about corruption and the abuse of power in Benin's political landscape.
The Criet's decision to adjourn the case has given the complainant and the accused more time to prepare their arguments. The case is expected to continue on December 3, 2026, and the court's verdict will be closely watched by the public. The incident highlights the risks of corruption and the need for greater transparency in Benin's political processes.
The alleged fraud has also raised questions about the vetting process for public officials in Benin. The complainant's experience has sparked concerns that similar cases may have occurred in the past, and that more needs to be done to prevent such incidents in the future. The case will continue to be monitored by the public and the media.
Key points
- A Benin traditional practitioner claims to have spent 45 million FCFA on bribes to secure the culture minister position.
- The two accused, an agent of the Agence nationale d’identification des personnes (Anip) and a cultural administrator, are facing charges of fraud.
- The case has sparked concerns about corruption and the abuse of power in Benin's political landscape.
