Abuse of power: a former agent of the Benin Post Office faces 7 years in prison
The Court for the Suppression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (Criet) has requested a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment against a former contract worker of the Post of Benin, charged with abuse of office.
CRIET
The hearing, which was recently held before the special jurisdiction, allowed the examination of the allegations against the ex-employee, pursued in the context of the file referenced Criet/2024/RP/04276. At the stand, the defendant acknowledged having worked for fifteen months without receiving a salary, while denying any fraudulent intent.
According to the evidence presented by the public prosecution, the former agent would have embezzled or mismanaged a total sum of 6,499,000 FCFA, thus engaging his responsibility for abuse of office. For these acts, the prosecutor has requested a 7-year prison sentence and a fine of 2 million CFA francs.
The defendant mentions professional hardships
Detained since November 29, 2024, the accused pleaded his good faith. He claims to have acted in a context of professional precariousness, marked in particular by the absence of salary for more than a year.
However, for the prosecution, these circumstances can not justify the opaque management of the funds for which he was responsible, thus constituting a serious breach of probity in the public service.
The case remains under investigation and the verdict is expected on August 4, 2025. Until then, the defendant remains in preventive detention.