In an unusual case that captured local attention, the Abomey-Calavi Court of First Instance has sentenced an electrician to 24 months for theft after he stole kitchen utensils during a domestic job.
The sentence, delivered in early October 2025, includes three months of imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 CFA francs.
The incident occurred when the craftsman, engaged to carry out electrical work in a private home, allegedly took advantage of a momentary lapse in the occupants’ attention to steal nine pots, a cooler, and various kitchen utensils.
According to reports from 24hauBenin, the electrician later sold the stolen items to a scrap metal dealer locally known as a “gankpo-gblégblé.”
In court, the defendant attempted to justify his actions, claiming he believed the pots had been abandoned and were unused.
He admitted reselling the items to the scrap dealer to manage financial difficulties. The scrap metal buyer, questioned during proceedings, stated that he purchased three pots, including one weighing six kilograms, for 3,500 CFA francs.
He also claimed that he had inquired about the origin of the objects and was assured by the electrician that they were his personal belongings.
One of the victims estimated the total damage at 100,000 CFA francs, which was fully reimbursed by the scrap dealer’s relatives.
The second victim chose to waive any compensation.
During submissions, the public prosecutor requested a two-year sentence, including twelve months of imprisonment, and a fine of 100,000 CFA francs for the electrician.
The prosecutor also sought 18 months, including six months in prison, and a fine of 50,000 CFA francs for the scrap dealer, who faced charges for receiving stolen goods.
The court partially followed these recommendations, convicting the electrician while acquitting the scrap dealer due to reasonable doubt.
This verdict closes a case that began as a routine electrical job but escalated into a notable legal matter, highlighting issues of trust, property rights, and accountability within domestic services in Benin.
The decision has sparked discussions locally about vigilance during home repairs and the responsibilities of both service providers and buyers in preventing theft and fraud.
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