Ouagadougou: The Tenkodogo High Court (TGI) concluded a mobile court session of its criminal chamber in Komtoega on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The session was presided over by the court president, Mr. K. Raymond Sanogo. Organized on July 29 and 30, this initiative aimed to bring the public justice system closer to the people, strengthen their trust in the judicial institution, and promote a better understanding of their rights.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this mobile court session was established to bring the courts closer to citizens, with the aim of raising public awareness of the organization, operation, and missions of the justice system. It also encouraged citizens to seek recourse through the competent courts in cases of rights violations, as opposed to resorting to vigilante justice or self-defense.
During the first day, the criminal court examined several cases relating to gender-based violence (GBV), land disputes, and requests for the rectification of civil status documents. Twelve cases were registered, of which ten were judged and two were referred.
The second day began at 8 a.m. with the continuation of the processing of requests and applications for rectification of civil status documents in the offices of the Komtoega town hall, benefiting many citizens who came to regularize their administrative situation. Meanwhile, the correctional hearing was held in the town hall conference room. Thirteen cases were on the docket, of which nine were judged and four were adjourned.
The cases examined included speeding, failure to maintain control, deliberate refusal to comply with a court order, theft, impersonation, manslaughter, involuntary destruction of property, and fraud. At the end of the hearings, the courts handed down sentences ranging from simple fines of 25,000 CFA francs to a sentence of 2 million CFA francs in fines accompanied by 36 months of imprisonment. Other prison sentences ranged from two to six months, depending on the seriousness of the alleged offenses.
Before adjourning the hearing, the presiding judge reminded the convicted individuals that they have ten days to appeal if they contest the decisions rendered. After this period, the judgments will become final. As a prelude to this mobile court hearing, the High Court of Tenkodogo, with the support of the Belgian Development Agency, organized two days of awareness-raising for the benefit of the population on July 27 and 28, 2026, in Komtoega.
The discussions, moderated by the Secretary General of the Boulgou province, focused on the law relating to Faso Bu-kaore, the judicial handling of cases of gender-based violence, the legal assistance mechanism for vulnerable people, and the role of the Burkinabe Movement for Human and Peoples' Rights (MBDHP) in supporting and guiding vulnerable people. Through this mobile court hearing, the High Court of Tenkodogo reaffirms its commitment to making justice more accessible, closer to citizens, and to strengthening the culture of resorting to legal means for the settlement of disputes.