Four senior magistrates and three customs officers in Burkina Faso have been handed prison sentences ranging from two to 36 months after being convicted of corruption-related offences.

The judgment was delivered on Tuesday at the High Court in Koupéla, following weeks of hearings marked by sharp exchanges between prosecutors and defence lawyers. The case forms part of the anti-corruption drive led by the military authorities who have governed the country since 2022.

The court found the accused guilty of offences including corruption, money laundering, influence peddling, abuse of office and the disclosure of the identities of protected witnesses, violations prosecutors said had compromised the integrity of public institutions.

During the trial, however, the defendants and their lawyers alleged serious irregularities. They claimed some of the accused had been abducted, unlawfully detained and subjected to ill-treatment while in custody, raising concerns among observers about respect for due process.

Speaking to Channel Africa, Burkinabé civil society representative Marcel Ouoba said the case highlights the delicate balance between fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law.

“Citizens want accountability, especially when it involves members of the judiciary,” Ouoba said. “But the process must remain transparent and fair. If there are allegations of abduction or torture, those too must be investigated with the same seriousness.”

He added that while many Burkinabé support efforts to clean up state institutions, public trust will ultimately depend on whether justice is seen to be impartial and consistent.

–ChannelAfrica–