News In Diaspora
Benin Abortive Coup: Benin Detains Nigerian Ex-Defence Minister For Alleged Role
Former Benin defence minister and leading opposition figure, Candide Azannai, has been remanded in pre-trial detention in connection with investigations into the failed coup attempt that rocked the country earlier this month.
Azannai was placed in custody on Saturday following his arraignment before Benin’s anti-terrorism court.
According to reports, prosecutors accused him of conspiring against the state and inciting rebellion.
He was arrested last week at the headquarters of his political party in Cotonou, days after the aborted takeover.
His detention comes despite his public condemnation of the coup and marks the latest development in the sweeping crackdown that followed the foiled plot.
On Tuesday, about 30 suspects, mostly members of the armed forces, were jailed on charges of treason over their alleged roles in the uprising.
On December 7, mutinous soldiers appeared on national television to announce they had overthrown President Patrice Talon.
The declaration was short-lived, as loyalist troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, quickly regained control and crushed the attempt.
The violence surrounding the failed coup reportedly claimed several lives, while some key suspects, including alleged ringleader Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, are still at large.
After hours of interrogation, Azannai was escorted by police from the court premises in the early hours of Saturday before being transferred into detention.
President Talon, who is expected to leave office in April after completing the constitutionally mandated two terms, has earned international praise for economic reforms.
However, critics have increasingly accused his administration of authoritarian tendencies in a country once regarded as a democratic model in West Africa.
In recent years, Benin has also faced rising jihadist threats in its northern regions.
Renowned Nigerian singer and songwriter Tiwa Savage has arrived in Malawi and is already engaging with women creatives as part of her visit to the country.
The award-winning artist visited Music Crossroads Malawi in Lilongwe, where she interacted with young creatives and encouraged them to pursue their talents with confidence.
During the session, Tiwa also spoke about the challenges women, especially young female artists, face in the creative industry, including gender-based violence and other forms of abuse, urging them to remain resilient.
The “Eminado” hitmaker arrived in Malawi on Tuesday.
On her first night in the country, Tiwa was spotted enjoying an evening with several prominent Malawian women, including Temwa Chawinga, Kim of Diamonds, Maggie Kadrum, Tay Grin, and other creatives.
Her visit is expected to include more engagements with women in the creative industry as she continues her activities in Malawi.
Maranatha Private Academy Managing Director Dr. Ernest Kaonga has come out of his cocoon and commented on the recently released list of 2026 scholarship programe which has seen 485 learners qualifying.
Speaking during the media briefing in Blantyre Kaonga said currently management is on the process of verifying names of the selected students.
“Honestly the administration of the exams across the country were successful but management noticed some discrepancies.
“It looks like some have failed miserably during MANEB but have done very well during the Maranatha examination, which is suspicious,” he said.
He added that the selected students will undergo another assessment at the school and those who fail the subsequent test risk losing their scholarships.
Kaonga further stated that top-performing students may get an opportunity to pursue studies at Sharda University on scholarship.
Meanwhile, Kaonga has hinted that some staff members have been dismissed for accepting a MK2 bribe from parents and guardians.
The scholarship is worth Mk24 million per student.
Faceofmalawi will keep you updated on the matter.
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