On July 15, 2025, agents from Benin’s National Center for Digital Investigations (CNIN), a cybercrimes unit, arrested Cosme Hounsa, publishing director of the privately owned newspaper La Boussole, in the northern city of Parakou, following a complaint by Rachidi Gbadamassi, presidential minister-counselor on defense and security.
Hounsa was charged with “harassment by electronic means” and transferred the next day to a police station in the southern city of Cotonou, Hounsa told CPJ.
On July 17, a prosecutor at the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET) heard Gbadamassi’s complaint over La Boussole’s reports about tensions between senior government officials.
The publications related to allegations made at a June meeting by the Minister of Water, Energy and Mines Paulin Kingnidé Akponna about embezzlement of funds in the ministry before he took office, and his subsequent dismissal. La Boussole questioned Gbadamassi’s "share of responsibility" for Akponna speaking out.
Gbadamassi told the local media outlet Dabaaru that La Boussole wanted to pit him against Samou Séidou Adambi, Akponna’s predecessor, adding, "After 35 years of political career, this is the first time I have filed a complaint against a journalist."
On July 17, the CRIET prosecutor released Hounsa and ordered him to publish an apology to Gbadamassi before appearing at the prosecutor’s office on July 24. La Boussoule apologized on July 22 and 23 for the "harm caused."
On July 24, the prosecutor summoned Hounsa to appear in court on October 6.
Under Article 550 of Benin’s digital code, the penalty for “harassment by electronic means” can be up to two years imprisonment.
CPJ's August 2025 calls to request comment from CRIET and online message to the presidency via its website went unanswered.