Benin: opponent Komi Koutché sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison

Text by: Jean-Luc Aplogan

The Beninese opponent and former Minister of State for Boni Yayi Komi Koutché, in exile in the United States, was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment and a 500 million CFA fine for embezzlement of public funds. It was his management as former director general of the National Micro Credit Fund (FNM) which was judged.

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From our correspondent in Cotonou

It all started with a financial audit, commissioned by Patrice Talon in 2017, which accuses him of having committed serious irregularities with huge losses of financial resources estimated at billions. Employees of the accounting department were convicted with him as well as six micro-finance structures. The Court issued an arrest warrant against Mr. Koutche.

Komi Koutché was absent from the trial. His lawyer has submitted a letter of apology which explains that he is confined to the United States where he resides because of Covid-19. The letter will not be taken into account, which makes Me Théodore Zinflou say that Benin is " a desert of understanding ".

Upon arrival, Komi Koutché is sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment and a 500 million fine for embezzlement of public funds. Two accounting officials at the material time received ten years in prison and six micro-finance establishments sentenced to very heavy damages for complicity. There were two acquittals.

This is proof that this trial is not directed against a man, points out a person close to the power who thus answers the accusations of " political condemnation "
" In a trial where there is a political opponent, there is never any objectivity, " replied another lawyer for Komi Koutché.

Against him, the Court issued an international arrest warrant and ordered the seizure of his property. " The case will not end like this, " announced one of the opponent's counsel.

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