CRIET: 24 months, 12 of them firm, sought against Hosée Houngnibo for making false accusations.

The public prosecutor requested, on Monday 24 November 2025, a sentence of 24 months in prison, 12 of which are to be served behind bars, against Hosée Houngnibo, prosecuted for “false accusation”. In its submissions, the public prosecutor also requested the payment of a fine of 500,000 CFA francs.

The case arose from statements relayed in the press by the accused about his conditions of detention at the Ouidah prison, where he had been incarcerated after a previous conviction for electronic harassment against the head of state.

According to the prosecution, these remarks were aimed directly at the prison administrator.

Before the judges, Hosée Houngnibo denied any intent to harm. He says he only exchanged personal information with a friend, never asking for it to be published in the media.

A defense that challenges the strength of the case

For the defense, represented by Me Afoukou, the prosecution’s case rests on interpretations rather than solid evidence. The lawyer argues that the defendant never requested the public dissemination of the information and that the essential element of the offense — namely the intent to defame an identified person — is not established.

The administrator himself was unable to provide evidence showing that the defendant was behind the publication.

The lawyer therefore pleaded for an outright acquittal, or failing that the benefit of the doubt. The Court must now decide between the firmness requested by the prosecution and the defense line pointing to the absence of direct evidence. The verdict is expected on 22 December 2025.