Olivier Boko, a businessman and close associate of President Patrice Talon, along with former Sports Minister Oswald Homeky, has been accused of attempting to orchestrate a coup in Benin. The allegations surfaced after the two men reportedly urged Djimon Diudonne, the commander responsible for the president’s security, to carry out the plot last week.

According to Special Prosecutor Elonm Mario, the pair tried to persuade Diudonne to lead the coup on Friday, September 24.

Their lawyer, Ayodele, confirmed that both men have been placed in pre-trial detention.

“They will be transferred to Cotonou prison and remain there until their trial,” he stated.

Homeky was apprehended at around 1:00 a.m. on September 24, while delivering six bags containing over Ksh 213 billion to Tevoedjre. Meanwhile, Boko, often described as Talon’s “right-hand man,” was arrested separately in Cotonou, the court added.

Interestingly, Boko had recently hinted at a presidential run in 2026, as President Talon’s second and final term approaches its conclusion under constitutional limits. In 2023, Homeky resigned as sports minister after advocating for Boko to succeed Talon.

While Tevoedjre was also detained during the investigation, he has since been released, with all charges against him dropped.

Both Boko and Homeky now face formal charges of bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy against state authority, according to judicial sources. Three other individuals have been implicated in the case; one remains in custody, while two have been released.

Benin, once lauded as a thriving multi-party democracy, has drawn criticism from some quarters for what is perceived as a drift towards authoritarianism under Talon’s leadership since he took office in 2016.

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