By Riches Soberekon
Vincent Dabilgou, the former Minister of Transport in Burkina Faso, has been handed an 11-year prison sentence. The charges against him include embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, and money laundering.
Dabilgou, who served as a minister from 2018 to 2022 under President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, was found guilty by the Ouagadougou High Court.
The court determined that he embezzled a staggering amount of 1.12 billion FCFA (approximately 1.7 million euros) from public coffers.
Aside from embezzlement, Dabilgou faced additional charges of illicit enrichment, money laundering, and concealed financing of his political party, the New Time for Democracy (NTD).
The court’s ruling was not lenient. In addition to the prison sentence, Dabilgou has been ordered to pay a fine of 3.3 billion FCFA (around 4.7 million euros). Furthermore, the court suspended the activities of the NTD, dealing a significant blow to the party.
This case also involved four other individuals, including two former colleagues of Dabilgou at the Ministry of Transport. They received prison sentences ranging from six to eleven years, along with substantial fines.
As part of the judgment, Dabilgou’s assets, totaling the amount embezzled, will be confiscated. Additionally, he has been declared ineligible for a period of five years.
