The CRIET recorded 3,849 complaints and police reports during the 2025-2026 judicial year in Bénin. This volume of activity reflects a significant rise in the caseload managed by the court in Cotonou. The increase in cases filed with the CRIET represents 782 additional records compared to the previous year. Judicial officials continue to process these incoming files as the court manages the growing administrative burden. The court remains the primary institution for processing these criminal complaints, and the steady accumulation of files requires sustained attention from the legal staff operating within the Cotonou facility.
Rising Caseloads and Trends
Records from the 2024-2025 judicial year show that the CRIET registered 3,067 complaints and police reports. Special prosecutor Elonm Mario Mètonou presented these statistics on 12 October 2026, in Cotonou. During this presentation, Elonm Mario Mètonou noted the upward trajectory of legal filings, stating, "Chaque année, le nombre de plaintes portées directement devant la CRIET par les victimes augmente de manière exponentielle." The data provided by the special prosecutor notes a clear pattern of growth in the number of matters brought before the court by citizens. This statistical disclosure serves as a formal record of the court's operational volume over the two-year period.
The 2026-2027 judicial year opened with a ceremony held under the theme "Humanizing criminal justice: between protection of human rights and repressive efficiency." Addressing the balance between enforcement and individual protections, Elonm Mario Mètonou remarked, "Nous devons tenir d’une main de fer le glaive de l’efficacité répressive, tout en élevant de l’autre, comme un sanctuaire inviolable, le bouclier des droits fondamentaux et de la dignité humaine." This thematic focus shows the ongoing institutional efforts to align the court’s rigorous enforcement mandates with constitutional safeguards. The event served as a platform for judicial leaders to outline their priorities for the upcoming cycle, emphasizing the dual responsibility of maintaining law and order while upholding the rights of those involved in the judicial process.
Elonm Mario Mètonou also addressed the use of pre-trial incarceration during the event. He emphasized the necessity of reform regarding how the court manages individuals awaiting trial, declaring, "La détention provisoire doit redevenir ce qu’elle n’aurait jamais dû cesser d’être : l’exception ultime." The special prosecutor indicated that the court’s approach to detention is currently under review to ensure that the practice remains consistent with the principles of human dignity and legal necessity. By framing pre-trial detention as an exceptional measure, the court signals a shift in its procedural philosophy intended to reduce the reliance on holding individuals before their cases have been adjudicated. This administrative focus on reform is expected to influence how cases are handled throughout the 2026-2027 judicial year.
