Power outage delays Kémi Séba extradition hearing in Pretoria
Last-minute infrastructure failure disrupted court proceedings in Pretoria as the scheduled hearing for activist Kémi Séba, regarding his extradition status, was abruptly postponed due to a power outage in the detention center where he is held.
The unexpected blackout prevented prison authorities from safely extracting and transporting the detainee to the courtroom, forcing the presiding judge to postpone the session with immediate effect.
Technical failure halts judicial process
A glitch in the facility’s power supply blocked essential security operations, including automated gates, biometric verification systems, and surveillance protocols required for the secure transfer of inmates.
Without the ability to physically present Kémi Séba in court—or establish a secure video link in the absence of electricity—the judicial process could not proceed as planned.
Case remains stalled amid fresh delays
This latest setback compounds the existing legal complexities surrounding the case:
- Continued detention: Since the detainee could not appear before the judge, he remains confined pending a new hearing date.
- Pending legal review: The delay pushes back the examination of the extradition request to Bénin filed by the CRIET, as well as the evaluation of his political asylum appeal.
The court has rescheduled the hearing for September 23, 2026.
