Nouna: The Nouna High Court, under the leadership of President Moussa Bassan, held its correctional and criminal hearing for the first time since returning to its original location on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. This marked a significant moment as the court addressed a backlog of cases involving six individuals accused of crimes and offenses spanning from November 2022 to March 2026.

According to Burkina Information Agency, among the cases presented, a fraud case and an aggravated theft case were postponed. Deputy Prosecutor Drissa Drabo cited reasons such as the non-appearance of the civil party and a key witness in custody, emphasizing the need for clarity to avoid wrongful convictions.

In a separate incident, two cases of aggravated rape were discussed. The accused in one case, identified as YS, had passed away while in detention at D©dougou prison, leading to the termination of public action, as confirmed by Moussa Bassan. In the other case, B.K., aged 26, was sentenced for the aggravated rape of a minor aged 14 at the time of the crime. B.K. received a sentence of 11 years, including 7 years in prison, and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs.

Further proceedings involved defendants ST and DAC, who were charged with voluntary homicide and murder. Both individuals admitted to the charges. The court ordered a medical evaluation for ST to assess his mental state before continuing the trial. DAC, found guilty of murdering Justine Dembel© on November 20, 2022, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, including 7 years of mandatory imprisonment.

Deputy Prosecutor Drissa Drabo assured the public that the Nouna High Court is fully operational and accessible to users seeking legal recourse.