Benin Republic prosecutors have thwarted a suspected coup attempt planned for Friday.
Elonm Metonou, the special prosecutor for financial crimes and terrorism, revealed in a Wednesday statement that Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, was apprehended on Tuesday night.
Homeky was caught delivering six bags of cash to Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the republican guard and chief of security for President Patrice Talon.
The bags reportedly contained 1.5 billion West African CFA francs (approximately $2.5 million). Authorities discovered that the suspects had opened a bank account in Côte d’Ivoire under the commander’s name on August 6, and the funds were transported in Homeky’s Toyota Prado, which had fake license plates.
Olivier Boko, a businessman and longtime ally of President Talon, was also implicated in the plot. Boko, who was separately arrested in Cotonou on Monday, had recently announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2026, when Talon’s term expires.
Investigators allege that Homeky and Boko bribed the military commander to ensure no resistance during the planned coup. The investigation is ongoing, and more suspects are expected to be arrested.
Since 2020, the region has witnessed eight successful coups and several failed attempts. President Talon, in office since 2016, has faced increasing criticism for what many view as a shift toward authoritarianism, with some observers warning that his policies are undermining Benin’s democratic institutions.
