Benin: Facing charges for attempting to sell his sister, a young man risks 3 years in prison
A man in his thirties appeared on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the trial session of the Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET), accused of attempting to sell his own sister.
Justice @currentschoolnews.com
Held in custody since April 11, the man is being prosecuted for acts initially classified as human trafficking, but which may be reclassified.
Appearing modest, dressed in a t-shirt, shorts, and his detainee vest, the defendant denied the charges in court. According to the accusation, he allegedly started negotiations with an individual introduced as a buyer, offering his sister for sale for 100 million CFA francs, before lowering the amount to 60 million after negotiations.
A meeting was reportedly set up at a school to allow the buyer to see the “merchandise.” The accused allegedly went there with his sister. He was arrested at the scene, then placed in pre-trial detention.
“It was a joke,” he defends himself
In front of the judges, the accused tried to justify his actions by a family dispute: “She changes men all the time… I just wanted to find her a husband once and for all,” he stated, claiming it was a joke that was misinterpreted.
An explanation that hardly convinced the prosecution. The deputy special prosecutor requested the reclassification of the facts as attempted kidnapping, demanding three years of imprisonment and a fine of one million CFA francs.
Without a lawyer, the defendant was unable to benefit from any pleadings for his defense. The verdict is expected on July 24, 2025.