Anti-Western activist Kemi Seba will remain in a South African jail until his extradition hearing next month, after a court in Pretoria ruled against his bail application on Thursday.
Seba, along with his son and a third co-defendant, was arrested in April for allegedly attempting to leave South Africa on expired visas.
The third defendant, South African national François van der Merwe, is accused of receiving Russian funds to assist Seba.
Seba is currently facing an extradition request from Benin, where authorities accuse him of involvement in a plot to overthrow former President Patrice Talon. His extradition hearing is scheduled for July 14.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the judge clarified that the hearing was focused solely on immigration-related charges but ruled that all three defendants posed a flight risk, thereby denying bail.
Seba had argued that his failure to return to Benin was due to a “well-founded fear” for his safety, stating that his visa overstay should be considered in the context of his asylum claim rather than as a criminal immigration violation.
Born in France to Beninese parents, Seba holds a Nigerian diplomatic passport and has long been a controversial figure known for his anti-Western activism.
The court’s decision means he will remain in custody until the extradition process is formally heard and determined by the South African judiciary.
Authorities in Benin continue to pursue the case, while legal proceedings in South Africa are expected to focus on both immigration issues and extradition requests in the coming weeks.
