Koupela: At the conclusion of the debates in the trial of the magistrates and others, prosecuted, among other things, for acts of corruption and money laundering, both the public prosecutor and the defense lawyers expressed their conviction that they had presented arguments likely to tip the balance in their favor on February 24, 2026.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the deputy prosecutor of Burkina Faso, Ousmane Tiendrebeogo, expressed confidence in the strength of the prosecution's case. He stated that the proceedings allowed each side to freely present its arguments, but the prosecution believes it has developed a sufficiently robust case to convince the court. "We believe that the arguments we have developed have not been refuted," he asserted, while acknowledging that the defense also distinguished itself with sustained arguments.

For the prosecution, the search for truth remains essential, with the conviction that the evidence presented justifies the requests made at the hearing.

The defendants' lawyers displayed the same confidence. Mr. Sitta Mohamed Abdelaziz argued that the alleged offenses were not sufficiently substantiated in light of the evidence presented. He expressed his confidence in a favorable decision for his clients, stating that they should be able to "hold their heads high" if the law is strictly applied.

"We did not come here to ask for a favor, but for respect for the law," affirmed Mr. Mohamadou Pare, while expressing his conviction that the forthcoming decision would reflect the realities presented during the hearings. He stressed that the texts invoked, in particular the provisions of the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Constitution, and the community standards cited, support the defense's position.

The verdict in the trial is expected on February 24, 2026, at the High Court (TGI) of Koupela. Beginning on January 16, 2026, at the High Court, the trial pits the public prosecutor against four magistrates, four customs officers, and a lawyer. They are being prosecuted for corruption, money laundering, disclosing the identity of witnesses, removing procedural documents, and illegal possession of a weapon of war.