Clément Capo-Chichi can now turn the page on his exclusion from public procurement. In a ruling handed down on March 12, 2025, the Supreme Court of Benin overturned the decision of the Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics(ARMP), which had banned him for five years for alleged irregularities in the management of public contracts within the Commission Béninoise des Droits de l’Homme (CBDH).
The case dates back to April 18, 2024, when ARMP ruled that he should be excluded from public procurement for the period from May 6, 2024 to May 5, 2029.
This sanction was the result of a self-referral by the regulatory body, motivated by a letter from the CBDH executive board, with the exception of its president, denouncing several alleged irregularities:
- Conflicts of interest
- Fraud in the award and payment of public contracts
- Counter-performance in internal management
A central point of the accusation was the absence of internal control structures, notably the Cellule de contrôle des marchés publics. Following an investigation, ARMP concluded that Clément Capo-Chichi was responsible in his capacity as approving authority, and sanctioned him along with two other people.
Successful legal action
Clément Capo-Chichi considered this decision unjust, and lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court on May 22, 2024. After analyzing the case, the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled that his appeal was admissible and well-founded, thus annulling the ARMP’s sanction against him.
This verdict officially cancels Clément Capo-Chichi’s exclusion and calls into question the procedure which led to his sanction. However, it remains to be seen whether this decision will enable him to fully reintegrate the public procurement circuit and clear his name.