The Court, composed of: Imani D. ABOUD, President; Modibo SACKO, VicePresident, Ben KIOKO, Rafaâ BEN ACHOUR, Suzanne MENGUE, Tujilane R. CHIZUMILA, Chafika BENSAOULA, Blaise TCHIKAYA, Stella I. ANUKAM, Dumisa B. NTSEBEZA, Dennis D. ADJEI – Judges; and Robert ENO, Registrar. In the Matter of: Lehady Vinagnon SOGLO, Represented by Barrister Yaya Pognon, Member of the Benin Bar Versus REPUBLIC OF BENIN Represented by Mr. Iréné ACOMBLESSI, Judicial Agent of the Treasury After deliberation, Renders this Ruling: I. THE PARTIES 1. Lehady Vinagnon Soglo (hereinafter referred to as “the Applicant”) is a national of Benin. He alleges violation of his rights as a result of his removal from office as Mayor of Cotonou and the legal proceedings brought against him. 2. The Application is filed against the Republic of Benin (hereinafter referred to as “the Respondent State”), which became a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (hereinafter referred to as “the Charter”) on 1