The Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET) in Porto-Novo sentenced TikTok content creator Barnabé A. To seven years in prison for fraud. Judges delivered the verdict on 22 October in Benin following the legal proceedings against the social media figure. Officials at the court confirmed the duration of the sentence for the offenses linked to his online activities. The ruling marks the conclusion of the case heard by the tribunal. The judicial process, which culminated in this seven-year prison sentence, involved multiple stages of investigation and court appearances within the Beninese legal system.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Police arrested Barnabé A. And his partner, Laura, on Friday, 21 November 2025. Authorities took the pair into custody as part of the investigation into fraudulent activities involving the content creator. The arrest was the primary action taken by law enforcement to address the allegations surrounding the digital presence and financial operations of Barnabé A. And his associate.
Following their initial detention, officials brought the duo before the special prosecutor’s office of the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET) on Monday, 24 November 2025. This appearance in Porto-Novo marked the beginning of the formal legal process for Barnabé A. And Laura regarding the allegations brought against them. The proceedings at the special prosecutor’s office allowed judicial authorities to review the evidence compiled against both individuals. During this phase of the legal process, the prosecution examined the specific nature of the fraudulent activities attributed to the couple, preparing the case for the subsequent trial sessions that would eventually lead to the final sentencing.
Prosecution Demands and Sentencing
During the hearing held on 12 March 2026, the prosecution formally requested an eight-year prison sentence and a 4 million FCFA fine for Barnabé A. These demands followed the investigation into the fraudulent activities conducted by the TikTok content creator. The prosecution presented its case to the court, outlining the gravity of the offenses and the necessity of the requested penalty to address the impact of the fraud.
Legal representatives also addressed the role of the co-defendant, Laura, during the same proceedings. The prosecution requested a five-year prison sentence and a 2 million FCFA fine for Laura for her involvement in the case. The court considered the arguments presented regarding her participation in the activities that led to the charges.
Records indicate that Barnabé A. Faced prior legal action related to his digital conduct. He was previously sentenced to three years in prison for cybercrime offenses. This historical record of legal trouble was noted during the broader assessment of the case by the judicial authorities at CRIET. The court’s final decision on 22 October 2026 resulted in the seven-year prison term for Barnabé A. Concluding the legal scrutiny of his actions. The verdict finalized the proceedings that began with the arrests in November 2025 and the subsequent hearings held throughout early 2026.
