Twelve soldiers and two traders were being prosecuted for fuel theft at the Cotonou naval base. The CRIET correctional chamber delivered its verdict on Thursday, April 3, 2025

The Court for the Suppression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET) has sentenced six defendants, including the former base commander, to prison terms and fines. However, eight defendants were released under the benefit of the doubt. Of the fourteen defendants prosecuted, six were found guilty and sentenced to prison terms and fines

According to the verdict, the former naval base commander was sentenced to 18 months in prison and a fine of 1 million CFA francs for “abuse of functions”, while his assistant, in charge of fuel management, received the same sentence.