Benin: Florent Mahougnon granted provisional release on bail

After several months in detention, Florent Mahougnon, better known under the pseudonym “El Professor”, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Prosecuted for harassment and swindling via the Internet, the tiktokeur was granted provisional release by the Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET) on Thursday March 20, 2025.

In its decision, the special court made his release conditional on the payment of bail of one million CFA francs. This is less than the two million CFA francs initially requested by the public prosecutor.

According to the second deputy special prosecutor, the purpose of this measure is to make the defendant aware of the seriousness of his actions and to prevent any recurrence.

This decision follows repeated representations by his lawyers, Me Omer Tchiakpè and Me Boccovo, who had pleaded for his release, citing health reasons. This argument seems to have weighed in the balance. When the verdict was announced, Florent Mahougnon made no secret of his satisfaction, expressing visible relief.

A look back at the case

The influencer had been questioned in July 2024 by agents of the Centre National d’Investigations Numériques (CNIN). He was accused of violently criticizing the actions of the Republican police in the fight against cybercrime during a TikTok live broadcast.

Although this provisional release has enabled him to receive the necessary treatment, the case is still under investigation and is far from over.