Death of Martin Hounga: The police finally break the silence

Silent since the outbreak of the affair relating to the death of young Martin Hounga in Hêvié,  the Republican Police have finally broken the silence. She announces the opening of 02 judicial and administrative investigations.

Faced with the popular indignation aroused by the affair, the Republican Police decided to shed light on the death of Martin Hounga. Through a press release dated 12 September 2023, she explains that “her elements were in an operation to fight against organized crime in Hêvié, on Monday night 04 to Tuesday 05 September 2023, when a citizen lost his life.  The body was deposited at the morgue of the Ouidah zone hospital in accordance with the instructions of the judicial authority”, can we read. The Republican Police wanted above all “to express its most sincere condolences to the loved ones and particularly to the grieving family”.

equally, she announces the opening of two judicial and administrative investigations. “The Public Prosecutor at the second class first instance court of Abomey-Calavi as well as the Technical Inspector of the Republican Police are requested to carry out the judicial and administrative investigations respectively”, she wrote.

To finish, the Republican Police invites the populations to be patient and “calm during this phase of investigations necessary for the manifestation of the truth” while emphasizing “its attachment to the execution of its missions of protection of people and property then of public order in compliance with the laws and regulations of the Republic as well as human rights”.

As a reminder

Indeed, according to information reported by local media and relayed by Matin Libre, the young boy 18 years old allegedly shot dead by police on Monday night, 04 September 2023 in Hêvié in the commune of Abomey-Calavi. Facts reported, the latter would be in the company of one of his brothers on the same Zem (motorcycle taxi) when he realized that Republican cops were chasing them. At one point, he allegedly jumped from the motorcycle and fled when he was shot. "To the victims, according to the family's version of events, came home when he was allegedly mistaken for a robber.”, informs the online media Banouto, who believes he contacted the police on Monday, 11 September 2023 and who would have refused to raise the subject. In an element broadcast on private television Canal3 Benin, the victim's mother explains that the boy is a fatherless and apprentice welder.

The Constitutional Court of Benin was seized indicates the same source on Tuesday, 12 September 2023 by an appeal for unconstitutionality against the “mutism” of the Republican Police, from the Ministry of the Interior, of the Ministry of Justice and Legislation and the Government after the disappearance of Martin Hounga. An appeal brought by five Beninese lawyers, namely Landry Angelo Adelakoun, Romaric Zinsou, Miguel Houeto, Fréjus Attendinglo and Conaïde Akouedenoudje.

Patrice ADJAHO