In Benin Republic, a former minister and three others have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup.

Ex-sports minister OSWALD HOMEKY was caught while handing over six bags of money to the head of the Republican Guard, ELONM MARIO METONOU, the state prosecutor told a press conference.

METONOU added that investigators said Col DJIMON DIEUDONNE TEVOEDJRE was being bribed not to resist a coup d'etat planned for Friday in the small West African nation.

Also detained was a businessman, OLIVIER BOKO - a friend of President TALON - who had recently indicated he had political ambitions.