Benin is accelerating the modernization of its judicial system with the creation of specialized courts, strengthening of staff and the digitalization of services for more efficient and accessible justice.
Speaking on the ongoing judicial reforms which started since 2016, the Beninese Minister of Justice and Legislation, Yvon Detchenou, stated that the exercise involved the creation of specialized courts and modernization of services.
“Today, in particular, out of 24 courts and 4 specialized courts,” said the Minister of Justice, specifying that they include “a commercial court, a commercial court of appeal, the court for the repression of economic offenses and terrorism and the special court for land affairs.”
The Special Court for Land Affairs (CSAF), created in 2023, has already handled “nearly 8,000 cases” in Greater Nokoue.
According to the minister, the CSAF is providing “a” significant contribution by now requiring “topographic surveys” and “certified property documents” before any decision.
Also, Mr. Detchenou added that the Cotonou commercial court is showing convincing results.
“From two years to handle disputes, the average time to handle commercial cases has now been reduced to 57 days,” according to official figures.
To strengthen the judicial workforce, the government has initiated an ambitious recruitment policy.
“Before 2016, you had around 212 magistrates, 114 clerks. Today, you already have more than 336 magistrates,” Mr. Detchenou explained, specifying that “80 are at the end of their training” and that “100 clerks are in training school.”
Digital modernization is another major focus, he recalled. “All courts in Benin are now connected to the Internet. 23 out of 24 are connected to fiber optics,” the minister stressed, specifying that this digitalization is reflected in particular by the implementation of the online criminal record, allowing citizens to “request your record online” from home.
Concerning the prison administration, significant progress has been made, noted the Minister of Justice.
“From 2007 to 2020, we have been dragging a lot of alimony debts that have been settled, nearly 4 billion CFA francs that have already been wiped out,” he said, announcing in the process the implementation of community service and the adoption of a decree on prison labour to promote reintegration.
For the future, the minister mentioned “the construction of a judicial complex in Cotonou, with six levels” and new courts, such as that of “Adassazoue currently being built in the heart of the administrative
city.”
AC/Sf/fss/gik/APA