Benin’s Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET) officially launched its 2026–2027 judicial year in Cotonou on Monday, October 12, 2026, centering discussions on balancing rigorous law enforcement with the protection of fundamental human rights.
The formal opening ceremony, held under the theme Humanising Criminal Justice: Between the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Effective Law Enforcement, brought together key dignitaries, including Vice-President Mariam Chabi Talata Yerima Zimé, lawmakers, and senior judicial figures.
Addressing attendees, CRIET Special Prosecutor Elom’n Mario Metonou emphasized the prosecution’s commitment to tackling terrorism, financial crimes involving public resources, and sexual violence, while cautioning against procedural overreach. He advocated for proportionality as a necessary middle ground between leniency and intimidation, asserting that law enforcement firmness must always respect human dignity. Supporting this mandate, CRIET President Édouard Cyriaque Dossa noted that the annual session reinforces the rule of law, while Bar Association President Zakari Baba Body urged legal professionals to reassess operational practices in defense of civil liberties and social stability.
The ceremony also highlighted an operational workload expansion, with CRIET recording 3,849 complaints and police reports during the preceding judicial year—a 25.5% increase from the 3,067 cases reported in the prior period. As the court enters its new operational term, leadership remains focused on confronting economic offenses and national security threats through impartial, measured, and rights-focused judicial processes.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA