Fugitive linked to Benin coup bid seeks bail in SA

Kémi Séba, a French-born influencer wanted by authorities in Benin in connection with an attempted coup in December, has requested bail from a court in South Africa, where he’s accused of trying to exit the country illegally.

Séba, his son, and another suspect – Francois van der Merwe – submitted their applications at a magistrates court in the capital, Pretoria, on Wednesday.

Their case was postponed until 11 May and they will remain in custody.

The three men were arrested in Pretoria on 15 April after a special investigative unit known as the Hawks received information that the Sébas paid Van der Merwe about R250 000 rand ($15 000) to facilitate their illegal passage across the Limpopo River into neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Séba has applied for asylum in South Africa, his lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni told reporters outside the court.

Benin issued an international warrant for Séba’s arrest after he praised the would-be mutineers on social media.

Extradition proceedings are under way, the Hawks said earlier this month.

BLOOMBERG