A soldier from the Allada National Guard appeared before Benin’s Court for the Suppression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET) on Monday, accused of withdrawing 12 million CFA francs that were mistakenly transferred to his personal bank account.
During the public hearing, it was revealed that the funds originated from a technical error by a banking institution, which led to the accidental deposit.
“Due to a malfunction in our system, the sum was inadvertently transferred to the defendant’s account. The latter withdrew it in several installments via the Momo Banking application,” stated the bank’s legal representative.
Called to testify, the soldier admitted to the facts without contest. He explained to the court, “I offered the bank a refund, but they did not want to accept the amount I could offer.” His attempt to portray a willingness to resolve the matter, however, was sharply contradicted by the bank’s representative.
“We cannot be offered money and refuse to take it. What he is saying is false,” the representative told the court. He further asserted that neither the accused nor any of his relatives had made any partial repayment, despite discussions indicating a possible refund of 1.1 million CFA francs. “We have never seen any of it,” he added.
In light of the conflicting testimonies, the Court decided to adjourn the case until its October 2025 session. The delay grants the defendant time to regularize his situation before the public prosecutor proceeds with formal submissions.
The case has stirred public interest in Benin, raising broader questions about accountability, digital banking errors, and ethical responsibilities when unexpected funds appear in personal accounts.
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