As South Africa prepares for the first hearing into Benin’s extradition request against Kémi Séba, scheduled for 14 July 2026 in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, many observers have asked a simple question: what exactly is he accused of?
The answer lies not in the South African immigration case currently before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, but in criminal proceedings initiated by the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup d’état in December 2025.
Two separate legal processes
It is important to distinguish between the two matters.
In South Africa, Séba is currently facing proceedings arising from his April 2026 arrest relating to alleged immigration offences and an alleged attempt to leave South Africa illegally. Those charges are entirely separate from the extradition proceedings.
The extradition matter stems from an international arrest warrant issued by Benin and formally brought before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court during Séba’s bail proceedings in May 2026. The South African court noted the existence of the warrant, paving the way for a separate extradition hearing beginning on 14 July 2026.
The December 2025 attempted coup
On 7 December 2025, mutinous soldiers in Benin briefly claimed on national television that they had overthrown President Patrice Talon. The attempted coup was rapidly defeated by government forces, with several participants arrested while others escaped.
During the unfolding events, Séba published videos and social media messages celebrating what he believed was the successful overthrow of the government, referring to it as “the day of liberation” and praising those involved. Beninese authorities allege these public statements formed part of the basis for criminal proceedings against him.
The international arrest warrant
Five days later, on 12 December 2025, Benin’s Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) issued an international arrest warrant for Séba.
According to Beninese judicial authorities, the warrant alleges that Séba publicly supported the attempted overthrow of the government through statements made during and immediately after the failed coup.
The reported allegations
Beninese authorities and subsequent court statements have associated the warrant with several alleged offences.
These include:
- supporting or encouraging the attempted overthrow of the Beninese government;
- incitement to rebellion;
- apology for crimes against state security (sometimes translated as advocating or glorifying crimes against state security);
- alleged money laundering, which forms part of a separate international warrant reportedly issued by the CRIET in June 2025.
Reuters has also reported that South African authorities were informed that Benin was seeking Séba’s arrest for allegedly supporting the attempted coup and for inciting rebellion.
Two warrants, not one
Beninese prosecutors have stated that Séba is the subject of two international warrants.
The first, reportedly issued in June 2025, concerns allegations of money laundering.
The second, issued on 12 December 2025, concerns allegations linked to the failed coup, including incitement to rebellion and apology for crimes against state security.
What the South African court will decide
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court will not determine whether Séba is guilty of any of the allegations made by Benin.
Instead, the extradition proceedings will initially examine whether the legal requirements for extradition under South African law and the applicable international agreements have been met. If those requirements are satisfied, the magistrate may commit Séba for extradition. The ultimate decision on whether he is surrendered to Benin rests with South Africa’s Minister of Justice.
Should extradition ultimately be granted, it would be for the courts in Benin – not the South African magistrates – to determine whether the allegations are proved beyond reasonable doubt.
At present, none of the allegations contained in Benin’s international warrants has been tested or adjudicated in any South African court.
