Benin – Repeated theft of cash at the residence of an attorney: the gardener under suspicion
A young gardener found himself in the dock at the Cotonou Court of First Instance on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, for a case of cash theft at a lawyer’s home.
Hired about a year ago, the defendant worked as a gardener at the lawyer’s home. He admitted to stealing 350,000 CFA francs. When confronted, he returned 178,000 CFA francs, but still owed 172,000.
Some time later, a new theft of 750,000 CFA francs was noticed. For this amount, the gardener denies any involvement and instead points the finger at the house’s driver, who has been on the job for seven years.
Also heard by the court, the driver categorically rejects these allegations. He claims he has never been involved in any theft throughout his years of service. According to his statement, no similar case had ever been reported before the gardener’s arrival.
On his part, the gardener admitted to another wrongdoing: the theft of a checkbook, in addition to the cash. A disturbing fact: the thefts seem to occur only on the days he is present in the house.
In the face of these revelations and the contradictions between the two employees, the court decided to adjourn the case until July 8, 2025. This next hearing should allow the public prosecutor to present its allegations.
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