Pan-Africanist influencer Kemi Seba appeared in a Pretoria court on Monday, alongside his son and a South African national. The latter is suspected of attempting to help them illegally enter Zimbabwe in exchange for more than $13,000.
Arrested last week by South African police, they are being prosecuted for illegal residency. During the hearing, the prosecution requested a postponement to verify the authenticity of Kemi Seba's passport, his residency status, and the money laundering allegations against him. His lawyer, Sesedi Phooko, asserted that the document was legitimate, specifying that it was a Nigerien diplomatic passport confirmed by the Nigerien embassy.
The defense also denounced the activist's detention conditions, stating that he is being held separately from his son and is considered a high-risk detainee, which severely limits opportunities for consultation with his lawyers.
Furthermore, Kemi Seba is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Benin, which accuses him of supporting an attempted coup in December. However, the question of a possible extradition was not addressed during this hearing.
The case has been adjourned until April 29, when a bail application will be considered. In the meantime, Kemi Seba remains in custody, and his fate should be decided in the coming days or weeks.
