Authorities in Benin have launched extradition proceedings against controversial activist Kémi Séba following his arrest in South Africa. Special prosecutor Mario Metonou, representing the Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET), confirmed that the request is based on two outstanding arrest warrants issued in 2025. The first, in June, relates to alleged money laundering, while the second, issued in December, includes charges of glorifying crime, incitement to hatred, and promoting violence. Beninese authorities have already submitted a request for Séba’s provisional arrest and are preparing a formal extradition application in line with international legal procedures.
Meanwhile, Séba appeared before a court in Pretoria on April 21 in a separate case tied to immigration status checks by South African authorities. He was arrested on April 13 alongside his son and a South African national. Police said they seized mobile phones and approximately 318,000 rand (about $17,000) in cash during the operation. The case in South Africa has been adjourned to April 29 for a bail hearing as investigations continue. The extradition process is expected to run parallel, subject to legal review and diplomatic coordination between both countries. Complicating the case further, authorities in Niger have stated that Séba holds a Nigerien diplomatic passport, raising potential legal and diplomatic questions regarding his status. Officials in Benin say the process will follow due legal channels, with further developments expected in the coming weeks as both judicial and diplomatic proceedings unfold.
