Abomey-Calavi: two youths sentenced for theft, forging keys and receiving stolen goods

The Abomey-Calavi Court of First Instance on Wednesday, November 19 convicted two young men of theft and receiving stolen goods.

The defendants were sentenced, respectively, to 60 months’ imprisonment with a fine of 500 000 F CFA, and to 36 months’ imprisonment with a fine of 200 000 F CFA.

The first, presented as the principal perpetrator, was found guilty of theft, forgery and using false keys. His co-defendant was convicted of receiving stolen goods after acting as a go-between to move some of the stolen items.

At the stand, the two young men did not try to deny the facts. They admitted their actions and said they could no longer remember the exact number of keys, documents and motorcycle plates seized when they were arrested, a sign of activity that likely stretched over several weeks.

The court followed the public prosecutor’s recommendations, judging that the seriousness and recurrence of the offenses justified custodial sentences. The decision aims to curb the rise in motorcycle thefts and networks dealing in falsified parts in the municipality.