Benin – Release-for-300,000 FCFA case: former Tokplégbé commissioner gives his side of the story
Beninese justice is continuing the investigation into a sensitive case involving the alleged release of a man held in custody for rape in exchange for a sum of 300 000 FCFA at the Tokplégbé police station (Cotonou).
The case has been raised several times before the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET).
According to procedural documents, the police station’s deputy commissioner is accused of “abuse of office and corruption” after having authorized the release of a detainee on the grounds that a sum of 300 000 FCFA had been paid to cover the care of an alleged victim.
During his hearing before the CRIET, the former chief commissioner, reassigned after the incident, explained that he had been alerted when he noticed the alleged victim’s presence in the police station premises on a Friday.
He then asked his deputy to begin the formal procedure for recording the detention. However, the following Monday, he found that his deputy was saying the case could be handled by summons, because the girl’s parents had taken care of her medical expenses and the detainee had allegedly paid the sum of 300 000 FCFA.
Questioned by the Court about receiving the funds, the chief commissioner said that in his police station such payments are normally recorded by the accountant. He acknowledged that the deputy had received them over the weekend but denied any manual action to alter the procedure. He maintains he only became aware of the facts when the public prosecutor contacted him.
According to the file, the accused remains untraceable, which complicates the investigation. The CRIET has adjourned the case to a later date to allow for the summons of several witnesses and the submission of additional documents.
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