Akponna Case: trial postponed to October 22, subject to bail conditions

The case opposing the former Beninese ministers Paulin Akponna and Samou Seidou Adambi will not be examined immediately. The Abomey-Calavi court, convened on this Wednesday, July 16, 2025, decided to postpone the hearing until next October 22, conditioning the review of the case on the payment of a deposit of 300,000 FCFA.

This sum, to be paid before October 21, is a prerequisite demanded by the Beninese law to guarantee the admissibility of the defamation complaint lodged by Samou Adambi.

The former minister of Water and Mines accuses Paulin Akponna of publicly defaming him during a meeting in Parakou, accusing him of embezzling public funds.

Present at the hearing with his wife, relatives and two lawyers, Paulin Akponna listened to the court’s decision, while the complainant Samou Adambi was absent at this first appearance.

This conditional postponement reminds of the strict procedural requirements framing legal actions, especially regarding offenses, and raises uncertainty about the continuation of the case if the deposit is not paid within the deadlines.