Beninese businessman Olivier Boko, a long-time friend of President Patrice Talon, was arrested on the night of Monday 23 to Tuesday 24 September in Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin, according to several of his relatives. “He was arrested early in the morning by men who said they were from the criminal brigade,” one of his relatives told Agence France-Presse (AFP), on condition of anonymity. The judicial authorities and the police have not confirmed his arrest, the causes of which are not yet known.
Olivier Boko, 60, head of the Denrées et Fournitures alimentaires (DFA) group, has been a friend of Patrice Talon for about twenty years, which earned him the title of “right-hand man” of the head of state, although he never held an official position in the presidential organization. But in recent months, the businessman had begun to display his own political ambitions, suggesting that he would run for the supreme office in 2026, which reportedly displeased Patrice Talon. The latter, in power since 2016, will reach the end of his second term in 2026. The Beninese Constitution sets the limit for the presidential term at two terms.
“Olivier has indeed been arrested, we are mobilizing at the level of his general staff to give him our support and demand his release”another of his close associates said anonymously. Former sports minister (2016-2023) Oswald Homeky was also arrested during the night, according to several of his friends. He had resigned from his post a year ago, after calling for support for Olivier Boko’s candidacy in 2026 to succeed Patrice Talon.