A High Court in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, December 24, sentenced four officials for embezzling over 3 billion CFA francs from the Ministry of Humanitarian Action to prison sentences and substantial fines.
The verdict underscores Burkina Faso’s determination in its fight against corruption.
The defendants, Amidou Tiegnan, Petronille Tarpiga, Salifou Ouedraogo and Philippe Bayoulou, were sentenced to prison terms and substantial fines.
Amidou Tiegnan, a former accounts manager at the ministry, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of 5.64 billion CFA francs, after partially admitting to having cashed 593 cheques for over 4 billion CFA francs, while Petronille Tarpiga was sentenced to 11 years in prison and a fine of 286 million CFA francs.
Salifou Ouedraogo was sentenced to 8 years in prison and a fine of 347 million 675 thousand CFA francs, while Philippe Bayoulou was sentenced to 6 years in prison and a fine of 126 million CFA francs.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the defendants’ assets for the benefit of the Burkinabe State and sentenced them jointly and severally to pay compensation of 2.13 billion FCFA for financial loss, plus 1 symbolic franc for moral damage. A 12-month judicial constraint was decided to ensure the recovery of the fines.
The trial, public and broadcast, takes place in a context where the fight against corruption has become a national priority. The authorities also insisted on the need for more rigorous management of public finances, stressing that every cent counts for the State. The Burkinabe State received the constitution of civil party from the National Anti-Corruption Network (REN-LAC), which supported this legal action, recalling the importance of transparency and control of public resources.
