As announced, former deputy Atao Hinnouho returned home on Thursday, July 27, 2023. He was welcomed by his supporters at the Cotonou International Airport.
Expected to arrive at 3:00 PM, it was finally after 5:00 PM that the former deputy Atao Hinnouho stepped on the tarmac of the airport. There was a strong mobilization of his supporters on-site. According to Elaine Saizonou, interim president of Reso Atao, the former deputy returned in good health, four years after his evacuation.
The legal troubles of the former deputy and businessman began in 2018. He was arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a fine of 3 billion CFA francs for customs fraud in a case of trafficking in “fake medicines.” He also received a one-year prison sentence for rebellion, also related to the “fake medicines” trafficking case.
Subsequently, Atao Hinnouho initially went into hiding before eventually surrendering to the authorities. His medical evacuation was authorized in 2019 after his stay at the CNHU (National Hospital and University Center) of Cotonou.
