Benin’s special prosecutor at the Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET), Mario Metonou, has announced the launch of extradition proceedings against activist Kémi Séba, following his arrest in South Africa. According to the prosecutor, the move is based on two arrest warrants issued in Benin—one for alleged money laundering in June 2025, and another in December 2025 for charges including glorifying crime, incitement to hatred and violence.
A request for provisional arrest has already been submitted to South African authorities as Benin prepares a formal extradition request.
At the same time, Séba appeared before the Pretoria Regional Court on April 21 in a separate case linked to immigration status checks by South African authorities.
He was arrested on April 13 alongside his son and a South African national, with police reporting the seizure of mobile phones and about 318,000 rand in cash.
The case has been adjourned to April 29 for a bail hearing, while investigations continue. Meanwhile, Nigerien authorities stated that the activist holds a Nigerien diplomatic passport. Beninese officials that the extradition process will follow international legal procedures, with further updates expected as the case progresses.
