By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
In Nigeria, people may worry about the EFCC freezing their accounts. In Kenya, public Twitter outrage might trend in under 45 seconds. In Ghana, EOCO could quietly start making inquiries.
In Benin, however, there is an additional, subtler regulatory force at play — one that is not appointed, not elected, does not wear uniforms, and does not require budget approval.
It is known locally, culturally, and silently as:
✅ the ancestors.
✅ the unseen tribunal.
✅ the “Department of Moral Corrections – Post-Life Division.”
It’s not written in law, but it’s embedded in mindset: “Even if the police don’t catch you, something else might.”
The Afterlife Audit System: A Satirical Reconstruction (But Socially Very Real)
| Local Regulatory Body | Scope of Power | Appeals Process |
| Police | Limited by evidence | Can negotiate |
| Court | Based on law | Can appeal |
| EFCC-style bodies | Focused on money crimes | Can ‘settle’ |
| Spirits/Ancestors | All-knowing omnipresent auditors | No appeals. No settlements. No escape. |
This is not fear-mongering — it is a deeply internalized respect for consequences, seen and unseen. Beninese society, especially in culturally anchored regions like Ouidah, Porto-Novo, and Abomey, carries a generational awareness that ancestors are not historical memory — they are living oversight.
Thought Experiment: Would You Steal If You Thought Nightmares Were Court Summonses?
Imagine someone considers stealing from a business partner:
- In a typical secular mindset, they weigh the risk of getting caught.
- In Benin, they might instead wonder:
“Will my dreams be peaceful tonight? Will my rice taste normal tomorrow? Will my car radio randomly stop working mid-afrobeat as a warning?”
Fear of legal punishment? Medium.
Fear of public embarrassment? Moderate.
Fear of ancestors sending coded misfortunes? High enough to encourage ethical behavior.
Mini Workplace Story: The Case of the Office Laptop Nobody Steals
In one small company, there’s a laptop labeled “Property of Mr. Adande (deceased founder).” Nobody touches it. Not because it’s in a locked cabinet — it isn’t. But because legend has it Mr. Adande “left a strong presence.”
New interns don’t understand at first. One once joked about using it… and the office went silent. Someone turned slowly and said, “We respect him. He still checks in.”
The intern now uses his own laptop religiously.
Whether or not this is literally believed is irrelevant. The social enforcement is effective.
The Psychological Formula of Behavioral Control
The fear is not theatrical — it’s practical. It reduces moral risk-taking. Why? Because there is no bargaining with invisible auditors.
You can’t “lawyer up” against ancestral displeasure.
Thus, many avoid unethical business behavior based on a quiet cost-benefit analysis:
“If I act fairly, I maintain peace in this world and possibly the next.
If I act unfairly, I may gain today but lose sleep, luck, and extended family approval.”
As far as compliance strategies go, this one is extremely cost-effective for the nation.
Conclusion: The Silent Regulator That Keeps Deals Honest
This does not mean Benin has no fraud or wrongdoing — no nation is spotless. But it does mean there is a deeper cultural friction against dishonesty than in places where the only deterrent is paperwork and eventual court dates.
And for investors, this means:
✅ Contracts may be obeyed not just because they are signed, but because breaking them feels cosmically risky.
✅ Ethical violations are seen not just as business missteps, but as moral hazards with unpredictable karmic costs.
✅ Cultural psychology actively participates in economic stability.
This is the quiet informal “compliance infrastructure” that stabilizes Beninese business relations — an unseen force ensuring that deals feel watched… even when no camera is visible.
📖 Coming Up Next: Trust as an Economic Accelerator
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com), Uber for handymen (Fixaars.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.