By Jacob Kubeka –
Two Benin opposition politicians sentenced to jail terms earlier this month will not appeal, according to their legal teams on Monday.
Joel Aivo, an academic, was sentenced to ten years in prison on December 14 for “plotting against the state.” Reckya Madougou, a former justice minister, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for “terrorism” four days later.
Both trials were over in less than two days. Both took place at the Economic Crime and Terrorism Court (CRIET), which was established in 2016 ostensibly to end the impunity of Benin’s political elite, but which critics say is being used to suffocate dissent by President Patrice Talon.
“The lack of independence of the CRIET and the lack of fairness of the judges motivated” the decision not to appeal, Madougou’s lawyer Renaud Agbodjo told AFP.
Aivo’s lawyer Robert Dossou told journalists “he does not believe in it (the process), and neither do I”.
The cases raise “grave concerns about political interference in Benin’s criminal justice system”, the US State Department has said in a statement, expressing alarm at the “systematic targeting” of opposition figures.
“Demonstrating… that the judicial system will not be used for political purposes is essential to restoring Benin’s former reputation as a regional leader in democratic governance and rule of law,” said spokesman Ned Price.
Already under fire over the erosion of democracy and electoral irregularities, fears are mounting Talon, a former cotton magnate first elected in 2016, is now undermining the rule of law and independence of the country’s courts.