Ouagadougou: Two young men, aged 32 and 35 respectively, were sentenced on Friday by the Ouaga I High Court to 60 months in prison and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs for the theft of a motorcycle, a mobile phone, and a wallet.

According to Burkina Information Agency, KI and YM appeared calm at the start of their trial held on Friday, September 11, 2026. Accused of having stolen the items in August 2025, they attempted to provide their version of events. The charges against them included stealing a motorcycle, a cell phone, and a wallet.

The prosecutor of Burkina Faso reported that the first complainant testified he had stopped at a kiosk near Katr Yaar in Ouagadougou for coffee, then went to buy cigarettes. Upon returning, he found his motorcycle missing, which he had locked. Witnesses reportedly informed him that someone, referred to as Rahim, had taken the bike.

KI, a 32-year-old mechanic, claimed the motorcycle owner had lent him the vehicle. He explained that due to the motorcycle running out of fuel, he asked his friend to seek help while he took a phone he found in the scooter's compartment.

Present in court, a second victim, referred to as OS, shared a different account. She recalled being approached by YM for money on her way to work. After giving him 500 CFA francs, she discovered her phone missing from her bag when she stopped to secure it. OS requested 150,000 CFA francs as compensation.

The prosecutor of Faso remarked on the insensitivity such actions foster among citizens. He accused KI of stealing a wallet from the courthouse, which YM argued belonged to him, explaining he had asked his friend to hold it due to a hole in his pants pocket.

The prosecution demanded 60 months of imprisonment, including 48 mandatory months, and a fine of one million CFA francs. Ultimately, the court decreed a 60-month sentence and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs, along with compensation of 150,000 CFA francs to OS.

After the verdict, KI sought forgiveness, to which the judge responded that it was too late, citing a pattern of such gestures followed by reoffending.