Benin: an LD candidate for the 2026 legislative elections held in police custody at the BEF

Alphonse Houngbandan, candidate for the party Les Démocrates in the legislative elections on January 11, 2026, was detained on Sunday, November 30 and is currently in police custody at the Brigade économique et financière.

The 5th candidate of the LD party in the 5th electoral constituency covering Allada, Kpomassè, Toffo, Ouidah and Tori-Bossito was arrested with one of his close associates. He is being questioned as part of several ongoing proceedings, according to corroborating sources.

According to Les 4 Vérités, the case stems from his management of the Coopérative Agricole Rurale d’Agbotagon, of which he is president. Members of the cooperative accuse him of having run the organization unilaterally and opaquely. Several complaints have been filed on the matter.

Added to these complaints are accusations of assault and battery that would involve some of his collaborators. The BEF is continuing its investigations to clarify responsibilities in a case that comes amid the pre-election period.