Pan-African activist Kemi Seba said on Monday that he feared for his life if he were sent back to Benin. He is wanted by Beninese authorities for his alleged involvement in a foiled coup plot.
These remarks were reported by Mr. Seba's lawyer during a bail hearing before a Pretoria court.
"What we presented to the court today was a sworn statement signed by him, justifying his release on bail. The case is therefore adjourned until next Tuesday for final arguments and the court's verdict," said Bill Kobras, Kemi Seba's lawyer.
Kemi Seba was arrested in South Africa last month along with his teenage son and a South African man for breaching immigration laws after overstaying his three-month visitor visa.
Benin issued an international arrest warrant against him on December 12 after he supported a failed coup in which mutinous soldiers claimed on television to have overthrown President Patrice Talon.
“There are administrative difficulties and we have to, he has to present himself at the refugee center so that they can register his biometric data. We argued before the court that if he is released on bail, he undertakes to present himself at the refugee center within 24 hours, as a condition of his release on bail,” added Mr. Seba’s lawyer.
Born in France to Beninese parents, Kemi Seba stated that he had not returned to Benin since May 2024, citing fears for his life and political persecution. He explained that this was the reason he had overstayed his South African residence permit – which expired at the end of February – and confirmed his intention to seek asylum.
