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REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON PEACE- WORK- FATHERLAND

2 0 1 6/ 00 7 12 JUIL 2016LAWN ,_____________ OF ________ 0

RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE

The Parliament deliberated and adopted, the President of the Republic hereby enacts the Jaw set out
below:
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 PART I

BOOK I

CRIMINAL LAW APPLICATION OF CRIMINAL LAW

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1: Content

The penal code is composed of:

a) book I comprising Sections 1 to 101; b) book II comprising Sections 102 to 361 ; c) the decree
relating to regulatory provisions of the Penal Code which

define offences, comprising Sections 362 to 370; d) sections 371 and 372, which lay down the
transitional and final

provisions.

SECTION 1-1 : No exemption

All persons shall be subject to the criminal law.

SECTION 2: General and special application

(1) This Code and every provision of criminal law shall be subject to the rules of internatio_nal law
and to all treaties duly promulgated and published.

(2) Book I of this Code shall govern all other criminal law, unless special provision has been made,
even before the entry into force of this book, concerning particularly the exclusion of suspension and
the exclusion or limitation of mitigating circumstances by a law or by regulations possessing force of
law. This Subsection shall apply actively from the 1st October 1966 inclusive.

(3) Any other general provision shall be subject to any special provision on the same matter, save as
otherwise provided.

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 vHAPTER 2: APPLICATION OF CRIMINAL LAW IN TIME

SECTION 3: No retrospection

No criminal law shall apply to acts or omissions committed before its coming into force or in respect
of which judgment has not been delivered before its repeal or expiry.

SECTION 4: Less severe law

(1) A new provision of criminal law shall, if less severe, apply to any offence in respect of which
judgment has not been delivered before its coming into force

(2) Where the new provision is more severe, the old law shall continue to apply to offences committed
before its coming into force.

SECTION 5: New preventive measure

A new law authorizing a preventive measure shall apply to any case where judgment has not become
final before its coming into force.

SECTION 6 : Abolition of offence, penalty or measure

Any penalty or preventive measure shall cease to be enforceable:

a) from the moment when the act or omission in respect of which it was imposed is no longer an
offence ;

b) on the abolition of the penalty or measure generally.

CHAPTER Ill: APPLICATION IN SPACE

SECTION 7: Offence within Territory

(1) The criminal law of the Republic shall apply to any act done or omitted within its territory.

(2) The territory of the Republic shall include its territorial waters and the airspace above the said
territory and waters, and all vessels and aircrafts registered in the Republic.

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 Provided that no member of the crew of a foreign vessel or aircraft may be tried for an offence
committed against another member of the same c.re'I. on board that vessel or aircraft, though within
the territorial waters or airspace of the Republic, unless the assistance of the local authorities shall
have been invoked or public order shall have been disturbed. ----::-=-:::;-:-::-;;;::;;,;;;;;;-7

?<:i!JcNCEOElA ~E£~~altiOUE ' '"cl1'l1~1 C w~.~ ,.✓. .,.,' •'-' E1 JC.,.tEM, ...,.,_ -.: --1..10-
C~IUU~l-'llf ~.,SECTION 8: Offence Partly or Wholly Abroad

" . 'c C:,1:; CE~11FIEE C014FOJ!1'AV

The criminal law of the Republic shall apply:

a) to any offence of which any ingredient has taken place within its territory ;

b) to any offence against the security of the State or of counterfeiting the Great Seal or the current
money of the State wherever committed.

Provided that no foreigner may be tried for an offence to which the law of the Republic applies solely
by virtue of this Subsection unless he has been arrested within the territory of the Republic or has been
extradited to it.

SECTION 9: Abetment, Conspiracy, Attempt

The criminal law of the Republic shall apply:

a) to any act or omission within its territory constituting abetment, conspiracy or attempt with a view
to an offence without that territory, provided that the said offence be also punishable by the law of the
place of commission ;

b) to any such act or omission without its territory with a view to an offence within that territory.

SECTION 10: Offence Abroad by Citizen or Resident

(1) The criminal law of the Republic shall apply to any actor omission abroad by a citizen or resident,
which is punishable by the law of the place of commission and is defined as a felony or as a
misdemeanour by the law of the Republic.

Provided that the sentence passed may not be more severe than that provided by the foreign law.

(2) No citizen or resident may be tried for a misdemeanor against a private party to which the law of
the Republic applies solely by virtue of this Section except at the instance of the authority controlling
prosecution after

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 private complaint or after off1c1al request to tr~ ~overnment of the Rep oy t"e Government of the
place of comm,ss10•

SECTION 11: International Offences

The criminal law of the Republic shall apply to mercenary, racial discrimination, piracy, trafficking in
persons, slave trade, slavery, trafficking in narcotics, trafficking In toxic wastes, money laundering,
cyber criminality, corruption and offences of misappropriation of public property committed even
outside the territory of the Republic.

Provided that, no foreigner may be tried in the Republic for such an offence committed abroad unless
he has been arrested in the Republic and has not been extradited, and except at the instance of the
authority controlling prosecution.

SECTION 12: General Jurisdiction

Subject to the exceptions contained in this chapter, the Courts of the Republic shall have jurisdiction
to try any offence to which its criminal law is applicable.

CHAPTER IV FOREIGN CRIMINAL LAW AND JUDGMENTS

SECTION 13: Exclusion of Foreign Law

Subject to Sections 9 and 10 of this Code and to this chapter, no foreign criminal law shall have any
effect in the courts of the Republic.

SECTION 14: Foreign Judgments

No foreign criminal Judgment against any person shall have effect within the territory of the Republic
unless:

- the act or omission in question is defined by the law of the Republic as a felony or misdemeanour
under the ordinary law ;

- the regularity of the judgment, its finality, and its conformity with the public policy of the Republic
shall have been ascertained either by the Court trying the person in question or by the Court of Appeal
of his residence at the instance of the authority controlling prosecution.

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 SECTION 15: Effect of Foreign Criminal Judgment

Such Judgment shall:

be taken into consideration as a previous conviction for the purposes of aggravation of sentence, of
preventive confinement, of suspension of sentence or revocation of such suspension, of revocation of
release on licence, of rehabilitation, and of amnesty ;

- found a good plea in the courts of the Republic convict or acquit, provided that in the case of
conviction the accused shall have served his sentence or satisfied It by prescription or pardon.

SECTION 16: Exec ution of Foreign Judgm ent

(1) Any such judgment as is contemplated by Section 14 and has been ascertained to conform to that
Section, if passed against a citizen or against a resident, and not enforced elsewhere, shall be capable
of enforcement within the territory of the Republic, unless enforcement shall have been barred by
release on licence, pardon, amnesty or prescription.

(2) Enforcement shall require the order of the court contemplated by Section 14, which may also, in a
fit case, impose the preventive measures attracted according to the law of the Republic by the offence
in question.

PART II PUNISHMENT AND PREVENTION

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 17: Penalties and Offences to be prescribed

No penalty or measure may be imposed unless provided by law, and except in respect of an offence
lawfully defined.

SECTION 18: Principal penalties

The following are principal penalties:

a) for natural persons:

- death penalty ;

- imprisonment ;

- fine.

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 b) for corporate bodies

dissolution

• temporary or final closure ;

fine

SECTION 18-1: Alternative Penalties

The following are alternative penalties:

- community service ; reparatory sentence.

SECTION 19: Accessory penalties:

The following are accessory penalties:

a) for natural persons:

- forfeiture ;

- publication of the judgment ;

- closure of an establishment :

- confiscation.

b) for corporate bodies:

- ban, for a specified period of time, on the direct or indirect exercise of any or all of its activities ;

- placement under judicial supervision for a specified period of time ;

- closure, for a specified period of time, of establishments or branches having served in the
commission of offences :

- publication or media broadcast of the judgment ;

- any other accessory penalties provided for by special instruments.

SECTION 20: Preventive measures

The following are preventive measures:

a) for natural persons:

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 - ban on exercise of activity ;

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 prev.,nltve confmemen

- post-pena, supervIsIor a o assistance ,

- confinement in a special l'\ealth institution

- confiscation

b) for corporate bodies:

- ban on exercise of activity for a specified period of time ;

- confiscation :

- placement under judicial supervision, for a specified period of time.

SECTION 21 : Classification of Offences

(1) Offences shall be classified as felonies, misdemeanours and simple offences according to the
principal penalties provided for them, as follows:

- a felony shall mean an offence punishable with death or with loss of liberty for a maximum of more
than 10 (ten) years and fine where the law so provides :

- a misdemeanour shall mean an offence punishable with loss of liberty or with fine, where the loss of
liberty may be for more than 1O (ten) days but not for more than 10 (ten) years, and the fine more than
CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand) ;

- a simple offence shall mean an offence punishable with imprisonment for up to 10 (ten) days or with
fine of up to CFAF25 000 (twenty-five thousand).

(2) The nature of the offence shall not be affected by:

- modification of the penalty imposed by reason of an excuse or of mitigating circumstances;

- aggravation of the penalty imposed under Sections 88 or 89 of this Code.

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 CHAPTER II PRINCIPAL PENALTIES

A - DEATH

SECTION 22: Conditions Precedent to Execution

(1) Every sentence of death shall be submitted to the President of the Republic for his decision on
commutation.

(2) No death sentence may be executed until the President shall have signified his decision not to
commute.

(3) No woman with child may be executed until after her delivery.

(4) No execution may take place on Sunday or on a public holiday.

SECTION 23: Execution

(1) Execution of a death sentence shall be by shooting or hanging as may be ordered by the judgment
and shall be public unless otherwise ordered in the decision not to commute.

(2) The bodies of persons executed shall be returned to their families at their request, but on condition
of a quiet funeral.

(3) Nothing may be published by the press beyond the official record of the execution and any official
communique that may be released.

(4) The detailed application of this Section shall be prescribed by decree.

B - IMPR ISONME NT

SECTION 24: Imprisonment

Imprisonment shall mean loss of liberty during which the offender shall be obliged to work, subject to
any contrary order of the court for reasons to be recorded in the judgment.

SECTION 25: Prisoner's fund

(1 )The proceeds of every prisoner's work shall be allocated as follows:

- 1/3 to the Treasury ;

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 213 to the building up f a r<>serve fund for tne pnsoner

(2 ) The conditions governing the 1mplementat1on of this Section particularly those with regard to the
management of the fund, shall be laid down by regulation.

C -FINE

SECTION 25-1: Fine

(1) Fine shall mean a financial penalty by virtue of which a convict, natural person or corporate body,
pays an amount of money, specified by Law, into the Public Treasury.

(2) The maximum amount of fine applicable to corporate bodies shall be five times that provided for
natural persons.

(3) Where a corporate body is guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment only, the fine to be
paid shall be from CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) to CFAF 500 000 000 (five hundred million).

D - DISSOLLUTION

SECTION 25-2: Dissolution

(1) Dissolution shall mean capital punishment which may be passed against corporate bodies.

(2) A judgment on dissolution may be passed against a corporate body that has acted in violation of its
object clause.

(3) The judgment on the dissolution of a corporate body shall refer such corporate body to the
competent court for winding up at the instance of the Legal Department.

?RESli>ENCE OELA REPV

8UOVE lECRilARIAl CE!<ERAL

MEN,T,,-:Hlt< lffilS\,\Tif Et REG<EME - CLOSURE OF AN ESTABLIS CO?IECERTIFIEE

CONfO

SECTION 25-3: Closure of an establishment

The penalty of closure of an establishment shall mean the temporary or final closure of an
establishment considered to be a corporate body.

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 Such penalty shall prohibit the accused corporate bo , rrom carrying ocit the activity through which the
offence was committed

Such temporary closure may not exceed 5 (five) years and may not be suspended.

F - ALTERNATIVE PEN

SECTION 26: Community service

(1) Community service shall be a sentence passed for offences punishable with imprisonment of less
than two years or with fine only. Such sentence shall be executed for the benefit of a public
corporation, a private corporation charged with a public service mission or an association entrusted
with performing a community service.

(2) The sentence provided under Sub-section (1) above shall be passed by the trial court in lieu of
imprisonment or fine, after ruling on the plea of guilty with the prior consent of the accused person.

(3) The court shall fix the period of community service which shall not be less than two hundred hours
or more than 240 (two hundred and forty) hours and shall not be suspended.

(4) Community service shall be free of charge.

(5) The judgment shall state the period of imprisonment that may be served by the offender in case of
non-performance of community service; such a period of imprisonment shall not be suspended.

(6) Community service shall be laid down by a separate instrument.

SECTION 26 -1 : Reparatory sentence

(1) Reparatory sentence shall mean a sentence passed for offences punishable with imprisonment for
not more than 2 (two) years or with fine only.

It entails the obligation, for the offender, to indemnify the victim within the period and under the
conditions laid down by the court.

(2) The sentence provided under Sub-section 1 above shall be pronounced by the trial court in lieu of
imprisonment or fine after ru ling on the plea of guilty and such sentence may not be suspended.

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 (3) The Judgment shal state the penod 01 mpnso'1ment tr.al may be served by the offender ..;ase of
non-performance of the eparatory sentence.

SECTION 26-2: Application of alternative penalties

The conditions governing the application of alternative penalties shall be laid down by a separate
instrument.

SECTION 26-3: Persons excluded from alternative penalties

The alternative penalties provided for in Sections 26 and 26-1 above shall not apply to persons who
violate the law on arms, those who commit sexual offences and those who cause bodily injury as
specified in this Code.

G - LOSS OF LIBERTY, COMMON PROVISIONS

SECTION 27: Commencement of sentence

(1) Where the offender has not been remanded in custody or where no arrest or imprisonment warrant
is issued against him at the time of judgment in the circumstances authorized by the Criminal
Procedure Code, no sentence of loss of liberty may be enforced until it has become final.

(2) No woman who is with child or who has been recently delivered may begin to serve her sentence
until six weeks after delivery.

(3) A woman with child already remanded in custody shall continue to benefit from the regime of
remand in custody until the expiry of the period referred to in Subsection 2 above.

(4) Where a husband and wife have been sentenced for the same or different offences to imprisonment
for less than a year, and are not in custody at the time of sentence, and show that they have a fixed
common residence and a child under the age of 18 (eighteen) supported by them and in their charge,
the sentence on one may be suspended until expiry of the sentence on the other.

SECTION 28: Calculation of Sentence

(1) In a sentence of loss of liberty expressed in days, each day shall mean 24 (twenty-four) hours.

(2) Sentence of one month shall mean 30 (thirty

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 (3) Sentence expressed •h'- or years shall ~ r<>ck n~d calendar date

(4) SubJect 10 Section 53, the duration of the sentence shall include and run from:

a) the day on which the offender was taken into custody under that sentence ;

b) in a case of concurrent sentences passed on different dates, the day on which he was first taken into
custody under any such sentence.

(5) In case of escape, the period of unlawful liberty shall not be counted in the duration of the
sentence.

SECTION 29: Separation of Minors

An offender under the age of 18 (eighteen) shall serve his sentence in a special establishment, or,
failing such establishment, shall be separated from offenders over that age.

CHAPTER Ill ACCESSORY PENALTIES

A - FORFEITURES

SECTION 30: Definition

The forfeitures applicable under this Code shall be the following:

(1 )removal and exclusion from any public service, employment or office

(2) incapacity to be a juror, assessor, expert referee or sworn expert ;

(3) incapacity to be guardian, curator, deputy guardian or committee, save of the offender's own
children, or member of a family council ;

(4) prohibition on wearing any decoration ;

(5) prohibition on serving in the armed forces ;

(6) prohibition on keeping a school, on teaching in any educational establishment, and in general on
holding any post connected with the education or care of children.

?,:t:lcl,CE0. I.A REPUSLIOUE ~~!:~Z-Ai!Al (j,fNf?,M

r =-~vr-:· ....... .~. " ET"C"' <! r,. - · 4 J,., .....;.-;11. , ....~l-.\•.t .c~..,l~ T E C(;?1 ; (;i:~!1REE CONFO
E

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 SECTION 31 : Where applicable

(1) A life sentence shall carry with 1t for life the forfeitures prescribed by the last preceding Section.

(2) Any other sentence for felony shall carry with it the same forfeitures for the duration of the
sentence and for the 10 (ten) years following its expiry or release on licence unrevoked.

(3) The trial court may in any case covered by the last preceding subsection, for reasons to be recorded
in the judgment, relieve from one or more of the said forfeitures, or reduce their duration to not less
than 2 (two) years.

(4) To a sentence for misdemeanour, and where so authorized by law the competent court may, for
reasons to be recorded in the judgment, add, for not more than 5 (five) years, one or more of the
forfeitures prescribed by the last preceding Section.

SECTION 32: Forfeitures and judgment in default

Where judgment is passed in default, any forfeiture shall take effect as from the date of publication of
the notices prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code.

B - OTHER ACCESSORY PENALTIES

SECTION 33: Publication of judgment

(1 ) Where the competent court may order publication of its judgment, it shall be posted in manner to
be prescribed by decree for up to 2 (two) months in the case of felony or misdemeanour or (15) fifteen
days for a simple offence.

(2) In such case, the competent court may order publication of its judgment in such media as it may
indicate.

(3) Any such publication shall be at the expense of the convict.

(4) Posting may be limited to the operative part of the judgment.

(5) The provisions under Sub-sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 above shall also apply to corporate bodies.

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 (6) Information through pnn rnedIa radio ario telev or or by lnterne as well as fair -:omments shall be
al owec:

SECTION 34: Closure of Establishment

Where the competent court orders the closure of a business or industrial establishment, or of any
premises devoted to gainful activity, which was used for the commission of an offence, such closure
shall imply a ban on the exercise of the same business or industry or activity in the same premises,
whether by the offended or by any other to whom he may sell, transfer or let the establishment or
premises.

SECTION 34-1: Placement under judicial supervision

(1) The sentence of placement under court supervision shall be applicable to corporate bodies found
criminally liable and shall consist in the appointment of a judicial representative whose control
mission and period thereof shall be prescribed by the Court.

(2) The mission referred to under sub-section 1 above shall concern only the activity in respect of
which the offence was committed.

(3) The judicial representative referred to in subsection 1 above shall render account of his mission as
regularly as necessary to the competent State Counsel.

(4) At the end of the judicial representative's mission and based on his report, the competent State
Counsel shall seise the Court that ruled on the placement under court supervision, for the corporate
body to be relieved of the measure.

SECTION 35: Confiscation of "corpus delicti"

(1) On conviction for any felony or misdemeanour, the competent court may order confiscation of any
property, moveable or immoveable, belonging to the offender and attached, which was used as an
instrument of its commission, or is the proceeds of the offence.

(2) Such confiscation may not be ordered on conviction for a simple offence unless specially
authorized by law. ,---- - -----,

?R:i!OENCE DEV. REl'USUOUE SEC~clAR:tAl CENERAL

~t•!·: i:,: :,., ".:, ,[iil \ ec;,:iLAl1FEl ~£:Cit.l~ ~ ,ii

CC?!ECE!ITIFIEE CON

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 CHAPTER IV PREVENTIVE MEASURES

A - BANNED OCCUPATION

SECTION 36: Banned Occupation

(1) Upon conviction for a felony or misdemeanour under the ordinary law, the court may, for reasons
to be recorded in the judgment, forbid the convict from continuing to follow any occupation found to
stand in a direct relation to the offence, and his continuation in which would give grave reason to
apprehend a repetition.

(2) Subject to any contrary provision of law, the ban may not be for less than a year nor for more than
5 (five) years, after completion of service of the principal sentence.

(3) For corporate bodies, the ban referred to in Sub-sections (1) and (2) above shall correspond to
prohibition, for a specified period, from directly or indirectly undertaking one or several activities
contained in its purpose.

(4) In case of subsequent conviction under the conditions provided for in Sub-section (1) above and
Section 88 of this Code for felony or misdemeanour, the ban shall be for life.

B - PREVENTIVE CONFINEMENT

SECTION 37: Definition

(1 ) Preventive confinement shall mean confinement for from 5 (five) to 20 (twenty) years under a
programme of work and social reformation, during which the offender shall, in default of a separate
establishment, be confined separately from convicts serving a sentence of imprisonment.

(2) The internal working of the establishment, the programme for the inmates, the details of their
work, and the manner of their reformation shall be prescribed by decree.

SECTION 38: Offenders not liable

No sentence of preventive confinement may be passed on a person who would be aged less than 25
(twenty-five) or more than 60 (sixty) years at the expiry of his principal sentence

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 SECTION 39: Where Applicable

(1 ) Sentence of preventive confinement may be passed on any offender subject to Section 88 of this
Code by reason of the following convictions, including that accompanying the sentence, within the
space of 10 (ten) years exclusive of any sentence served and any preventive measure involving
personal restraint:

a) two (2) convictions for felony punished with imprisonment or with death commuted first into
imprisonment ; or

b) one such conviction for felony and two for misdemeanour, each punished with more than 1 (one)
year of imprisonment ;

c) four (4) convictions for misdemeanour, each punished with more than 1 (one) year of
imprisonment.

(2) The said space of 10 (ten) years shall be counted back from the date of the latest relevant offence.

(3) To be counted for the purpose of preventive confinement a conviction must have become final and
must have been for an offence committed after the preceding conviction to be counted has become
final.

(4) Previous convictions the sentences which have been commuted, pardoned or remitted shall be
taken into account.

(5) Previous convictions expunged by rehabilitation or by amnesty shall not be taken into account.

(6) Previous convictions for offences committed by persons under the age of 18 (eighteen) shall not be
taken into account.

C - POST-PENAL SUPERVISION AND ASSISTANCE

SECTION 40: Definition and Duration

(1) Every offender sentenced to loss of liberty for more than a year may on conviction, where the
circumstances warrant and for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, be subjected by the court for up
to 5 (five) years to post-penal supervision and assistance, consisting of general obligation d, in a fit
case, of added special obligations. .,,. -·,cEoEv- REPuauouE

r.,;,_) ,..,c; ccu...PAt ~~i :i-'R:1>.t ,;. -~c • .. N1 t _ . \ ·r.. $LA'h,~

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El ,o;~...-l s.::io,-:: : ; .. •,_r,,.cl C'-" • c :;?,ECE:l'iriEE CONt

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 (2) The offender's compliance with his obligations shall be superintended by a Magistrate nominated
m that behalf with the assistance of salaried or honorary supervisors.

Provided that where the conviction is for felony or the offender was sentenced under Section 88 of this
Code for misdemeanour, his compliance shall be superintended by the police.

(3) The detailed application of this Section shall be prescribed by decree.

SECTION 41 : General Obligation

The obligations to which the offender shall always be subject shall be:

1. to establish his residence in a given place ;

2. to appear when called by the authority in charge of supervision and assistance ;

3. to receive visits from the supervisor and give him all information and papers useful for the
verification of his means of support ;

4. to inform the supervisor in advance, and explain the reasons to him, of any change of employment
or residence ;

5. to inform the supervisor in advance of any absence of over 15 (fifteen) days, and inform him of his
return ;

6. to obtain the previous permission of the authority in charge before any departure abroad.

SECTION 42: Special Obligations

In addition to the general obligations prescribed by the last preceding Section, the Court may impose
upon the offender any one or more of the following special obligations:

1. to take up residence in one or more specified places ;

2. not to be present without special and temporary permission in specified places ;

3. to remain in employment or follow a course of instruction or vocational training ;

4. to submit to measures of control or of treatment, including treatment in hospital, and in particular

with a view to curing an addiction to alcohol or drugs ; PRcSiilfNCE DE LAKfl'UBUQUE

S!<:~EI/J!!Al CENEP.AL se~vic, :uflCHlfR LEGISU!HIRE ·fM!N e

CO?IE CERTIFIEE CO ' RME 18

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 5. to contribute to the family expenses or to pay regularly any maintenance due from him,

6. to compensate any damage caused by this offence ;

7. not to drive any class of motor vehicle, defined in terms of the classification in force for the purpose
of driving licences ;

8. to avoid specified places, such as bars, race-courses, gaming- houses ;

9. not to wager ;

10. to abstain from undue consumption of alcohol ;

11. to avoid the company of specified offenders, in particular his co offenders of the accessories to the
offence ;

12. not to receive or lodge at his residence specified persons.

D - HEALTH INSTITUTI

SECTION 43: Insane Persons

(1) Upon acquittal for insanity on a charge of felony or misdemeanour punishable with 2 (two) years
imprisonment or more and where the liberty of the accused shall have been found by the court to be a
public danger, the court shall order his confinement in a special institution.

(2) Such confinement may be terminated only by the same court upon evidence by the competent
medical authority that the liberty of the confined person is no longer a public danger.

SECTION 44: Addict or partially insane

(1) Where an addict to alcohol or drugs, or a person suffering from mental sickness is convicted of a
felony or misdemeanor punishable with 2 (two) years imprisonment or more and related to his
addiction or mental condition, and where his liberty shall have been found to be a public danger, the
competent court may order his confinement in a special health institut ion.

(2) Such confinement shall not exceed 2 (two) years in the case of an addict to alcohol or drugs, nor 5
(five) years in the case of the mentally sick.

(2)Such confinement may be earlier terminated by the court upon evidence by the competent medical
authority that the liberty of the confined person is no longer a public danger.

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 E - CONFISCATION

SECTION 45: Confiscation

The confiscation of anything whose manufacture, custody, sale or use is unlawful shall be ordered
even if not belonging to the offender, and even if the prosecution does not result in conviction.

CHAPTER V RECOGNIZANCE

SECTION 46: Where applicable

(1 ) Any person who by his conduct or by his utterances shall have exhibited an unambiguous
intention to commit an offence which may disturb the public peace may be required by the President
of the District Court to enter into a recognizance with or without solvent sureties in such sum as may
be therein fixed to refrain from commission of any offence of the like nature for the duration of the
period therein specified.

(2) The sum shall be fixed having regard t bound over.

SECTION 47: Period

• . , ..~··:CE Of lAR£PU8UOUE,..,:.........t,.i

~~l~soJt(~:&;'iffe, COP\: ( ":;; FIE~CONfOR

Where the person required to enter into the recognizance is a habitual offender, the period of the
recognizance may extend to 3 (three) years, but shall not otherwise exceed 1 (one) year.

SECTION 48: Recognizance by Parents

Where a person under the age of 18 (eighteen) shall have committed any act defined as an offence, the
President of the District Court may require his parents, guardian or person responsible under
customary law to enter into the recognizance described by Section 46, to be forfeited if the said person
shall commit any similar act within the space of 1 (one) year, unless the obligor shall prove that he
took all reasonable steps to avoid the minor's committing the offence.

SECTION 49: Non-compliance

(1) Where a person required to enter into a recognizance does not do so, or fails to find the sureties
required, he may be immediately taken into custody until he shall have complied with the order; but
such custody may not exceed the period for which the recognizance was required.

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 (2) Except under Section 48 the obligations described in Section 42 (1) and (2) may be substituted for
custody.

SECTION 50: Breach of Recognizance

(1) Upon conviction of an offence covered by the recognizance the District Court shall without
prejudice to any penalty incurred for the offence order forfeiture of the sum therein fixed.

(2) Payment of the said sum shall be enforced as against the person bound over in like manner as if it
were a fine, and as against the sureties by any civil process.

CHAPTER VI CONCURRENT AND CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES

SECTION 51: Concurrent Sentences the Rule

(1) Where any person is convicted on several charges of felony or misdemeanour tried jointly, or of
simple offence tried with either, only one sentence may be passed, not exceeding the maximum
prescribed for the most severely punished offence.

(2) Where any person is convicted on several such charges tried separately, any sentence later passed
may be ordered to run concurrently with, or in the case of fines to be merged in, any earlier sentence;
and where it is not so ordered, the aggregate of the sentences may not exceed the maximum prescribed
for the most severely punished offence.

(3) In the calculation of such aggregate an earlier sentence reduced by remission shall be counted at its
reduced and not at its original length.

(4) No sentence may be ordered to run concurrently with, or to be merged in, a sentence which had
already become final before the act or omission in respect of which the second sentence is passed.

(5) In respect of simple offences sentences shall not be concurrent or merged unless the court shall so
order.

(6) Subject to any contrary order of the court, several sentences other than to principal penalties shall
be consecutive as between themselves.

21

,~:·i,CNC<ot I.A REPU!LIOUE _., r -e:-.,:-- ,1,.KV,TGE~£P.M

• • --: -:11· ,,·r.,s1Ar; fl ~ ;;1. ~tit't,C.:. - .,,.. \ ... . C"?I: rr,:•11AE: CONF\J ...... .
:
:
 SECTION 52: Consecutive Sentences

(1) Sentences of loss of liberty shall be enforced in the chronological order in which the imprisonment
warrants were notified to the offender.

(2) Accessory penalties and confinement under Section 43 of this Code shall run from the date when
the sentence becomes final, while other preventive measures shall commence from the expiry or
suspension of the principal sentence.

(3) Several consecutive preventive measures shall be enforced in the following order:

a) Confinement in a health institution ;

b) Preventive confinement ;

c) Post-penal supervision and assistance.

(4) Where during the currency of any such measure the offender is sentenced to loss of liberty for
another felony or misdemeanour, the preventive measure shall be suspended until the new sentence
shall have been served out.

SECTION 53: Remand in custody

(1) Where the offender has been remanded in custody, the duration of such custody shall be wholly
deducted from the computation of loss of liberty.

(2) Where the offender, after having been remanded in custody, is sentenced with fine only, the Court
shall relieve him wholly or in part of the said fine.

CHAPTER VI I >1.~:uENCE Df lA REPusuauE ,.~ .!"A«IAt CfNEPA.l

;:::S.:U.:S:.:..P.:E:.:.. IO:.,...::Oe.eF---
:;.=EN=.::Y=E.:.::N:.:S::.:.10.::::.:.::N:..:cA.:.:N.:.:D:..:.R,:E:.:.:M:.:.:1;:::S;:::Sc.:.:==-'N
Nc:C=t::.., •<: ;u;•c" ~,~, C::.:?it CEitiflf; CO~F

A - SUSPENDED SENTEN E _

SECTION 54: Application and Effect

(1) Subject to any contrary provision of law, upon conviction for felony or misdemeanour of an
offender not previously sentenced to imprisonment, or where after such sentence his conviction has
been expunged, the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, suspend for a period of
from 3 (three) to 5 (five) years the enforcement of any sentence of imprisonment for

22
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 five (5) years or less, or for fine not imposed under Section 92 (2 1 of this Code

(2) Such suspension shall not affect any accessory penalty or preventive measure resulting from the
conviction.

(3) Where within the period so fixed, calculated from the date when the judgment becomes final, the
offender commits a further felony or misdemeanour for which he is sentenced to imprisonment, and
where such sentence is not suspended on probation, both sentences shall be served consecutively, that
which has been suspended under this Section being served first.

(4) The expiry of the said period shall otherwise produce the effects of rehabilitation provided for by
Section 676 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

B - PROBATION

SECTION 55: Where Applicable

(1) In any case where a sentence of 6 (six) months or more of imprisonment may be suspended,
suspension may be combined with probation.

(2) When combined with probation suspension may also be granted to an offender with a previous
sentence of imprisonment suspended without probation or with a previous sentence of imprisonment
for less than 6 (six) months not suspended.

(3) The period of probation may not be less than 3 (three) nor more than 5 (five) years.

(4) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), Section 54 of this Code shall apply to suspension on probation.

SECTION 56: Meaning of Probation

(1) Probation shall mean the subjection of the offender to general and, in a fit case, to added special
obligations of supervision and assistance.

(2) The offender's compliance with his obligations shall be superintended by a Magistrate nominated
in that behalf, with the assistance of salaried or honorary probation officers.

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 (3) The probation officer shall be chosen and may be replaced by the Magistrate in charge.

(4) The Magistrate in charge at the offender's residence may at any time for reasons to be recorded in
writing suspend all or any of the special obligations or vary them, but not so as to make them more
burdensome.

SECTION 57: General Obligations

An offender on probation shall always be subject to the general obligations prescribed by Section 41
of this Code, save that for the supervisor shall be substituted the probation officer.

SECTION 58: Special Obligations

In addition to the general obligations prescribed by the last preceding Section, the judgment may
subject the offender to one or more of the special obligations described by Section 42.

SECTION 59: Duties of Probation Officer

(1) The probation officer shall be bound to satisfy himself that the offender observes the general and
special obligations of his probation, and in addition to stimulate and encourage the offender's efforts in
the direction of reform, in particular his family and occupational readaptation.

(2) He shall be bound to afford the offender all moral support in his power, and it shall be his duty,
where the offender is in need of financial support, to apply to the Magistrate in charge to approach any
social assistance organization with a view to a grant.

(3) He shall report regularly to the said Magistrate on the progress of his task, and shall refer to him in
case of difficulty.

SECTION 60: Breach of Obligations

(1) Where during the period of probation the offender shall have broken any general or special
obligation, the court which suspended the sentence may order its enforcement.

(2) Such order shall not carry with suspension without probation.

24

it revocation of any
:
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 13) Where a suspended sentence has not been revoked under this Section or Section 54 of this Code,
the expiry of the period shall produce the effects provided for in Section 676 of the Criminal
Procedure Code.

C - RELEASE ON LICENCE

SECTION 61: Definition

(1) Release on licence shall mean the premature release of a person sentenced to loss of liberty, or
subjected, by a conviction decision, to a similar preventive measure. Such release on licence shall be
granted and revoked by decree.

(2) The general conditions and detailed procedure for grant and revocation of release on licence shall
be prescribed by decree.

(3) Premature release of an offender, wher· ,~'t., "',ct.b ~meeri'let-«!:SC1:isl;i :}it,ra; final upon expiry
of the term of sentence. 0s1e«1,111At G<N!P->t

su-. c.; ;:u r'IC:i;£1 LEGiSlAflf ET ~~Gl.EMElj)'CRj' COPIE CERTlflEE CONFOR

SECTION 62: Suspension of Measures

(1) The decree granting release on licence also suspends enforcement of any order of confinement in a
special health establishment, or of preventive confinement, or of post-penal supervision and
assistance, or of banned occupation which would follow on release from the principal penalty.

(2) Such suspension shall become definitive 5 (five) years after the expiry of the principal penalty.

SECTION 63: Time for Grant

(1) Release on licence from a principal penalty may not be granted before service of half the sentence,
or of the aggregate of consecutive sentences, regard being had to remissions if any. It may not be
granted to a recidivist before service of two-thirds of the sentence.

(2) A person under preventive confinement may not be granted release on licence before service of 5
(five) years of the sentence.

SECTION 64: Revocation

(1) Release on licence may be revoked on conviction for felony or misdemeanor later committed or
for breach of any of the general or special conditions of the licence.

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 (2) In case of revocation the period of liberty shall not be counted in the duration of the sentence.

D - SUSPENSION OF POST-PENAL MEASURES

SECTION 65: Suspension of Post-penal Measures

(1) On the proposal of the authority contemplated by Section 40 (2), the court which has ordered post-
penal measures, may at any time, for reasons to be recorded in the order, suspend all or any of the
special obligations imposed, or vary them, but not so as to make them more burdensome.

(2) Such suspension may at any time in like manner be revoked.

(3) The duration of such suspension, whether or not revoked, shall be counted in the duration of the
measures.

?;ai ,i:lEJ<CEOE IJI REPUSUOUE <'CREl.uttAT GtNEAAI.

rl!E~ LEGuU.TfET REGltM,Et<J,<iiiV IE - PARDON - PRESCRIPTION CO?IECERTIFIEE

CONFO~

SECTION 66: Pardon

Pardon shall mean the commutation or remission, in whole or in part and with or without conditions,
of a penalty or preventive measure or of the obligations of a probation order.

SECTION 67: Prescription

(1) Where a principal penalty has remained unenforced for the following periods after judgment has
become final, neither it nor any accessory penalty or preventive measure accompanying it may any
longer be enforced:

a) for felony: 20 (twenty) years ;

b) for misdemeanour and simple offence tried with mi'sdemeanour: 5 (five) years ;

c) for any other simple offence: 2 (two) years.

(2) Prescription shall be suspended while enforcement of the sentence is prevented by any
consideration of law or of fact apart from the offender's will.

Time shall begin to run again on the intervention of an enforcement measure taken before the
completion of the period.

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 A person convicted in default may no longer appear to serve his sentence after prescription

SECTION 68: Death

The offender's death shall not prevent enforcement of pecuniary sentences against his estate or closure
of an establishment, or confiscation.

A - REHABILITATIO SECTION 69: Definition and Effect

(1) Rehabilitation is a measure which, unless otherwise provided by law, expunges a conviction for
felony or misdemeanour. It puts an end to any accessory penalty and to any preventive measure except
to confinement in a health institution and closure of an establishment.

(2) Where a person has been convicted more than once, rehabi litation shall apply to all the
convictions.

(3) Rehabilitation shall be as of right or by court judgment.

(4) a) In order to be rehabilitated, an offender shall show proof of payment of all costs and damages or
of any reduction thereof granted him. Otherwise, he shall prove that he served an imprisonment term
in default of payment.

b) Where he is convicted of fraudulent bankruptcy, he shall prove the discharge of his liabilities
relating to capital, interest and expenses or prove that a reduction was granted him.

c) Where the civil party cannot be found, the amount due him shall either be paid to his representative
or, otherwise, into the deposit and guarantee fund.

d) Where the offender claims that the civil party has refused the amount due him, he shall show proof
of such refusal and pay the said amount into the deposit and guarantee fund.

e) The four-year prescription shall not be applicable hereto.

(5) a) Rehabilitation shall not as of right restore any decoration forfeited nor automatically reinstate
the person rehabilitated in any orders from which he would have been debarred;

27
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 o, Police supervisory and security measures against the offender »ha! re ,a,n enforceable,

c) Amounts paid in satisfaction of pecuniary sentences and confiscations from the person rehabilitated
shall remain with the Public Treasury and shall be non-refundable;

d) Rehabilitation shall not as of right reinstate anyone in public office or employment, rank, public or
ministerial positions nor shall it give rise to any reconstitution of his career.

However, the person rehabilitated shall regain the rights forfeited such as parental authority,
guardianship, electoral rights and the right to appear as a witness in court.

e) Rehabilitation shall not bar an application for review of judgment with a view to establishing
innocence.

SECTION 70: Rehabilitation as of Right

(1) An offender who has not had any further sentence of imprisonment for felony or misdemeanour
shall as of right be rehabilitated upon expiry of the following periods:

- Five (5) years, for a sentence of fine ;

- ten (10) years for a single sentence of imprisonment of up to six months;

- fifteen (15) years for a single sentence of up to two years ;

- twenty (20) years for a single sentence of up to five years.

(2) The period shall be 15 (fifteen) years for an aggregate sentence of more than1 (one) year but not
more than 2 (two) years.

(3) Sentences ordered to run concurrently shall be counted as a single sentence.

(4) The said periods shall run, in the case of a sentence of fine, from the date of payment or of
prescription, and in the case of loss of liberty, from the date of expiry of the sentence, taking into
consideration any remission or prescription.

(5) The partial or total remission of a sentence shall . ~ its p

"'"''

rtial 1· v.REPU -Or ttl ,a,· :ic.r1C•oE e,,._0.,_.o a execution.

r :.)• rE,CQ.t1,Jl:t1'lv,.1i- £'1 l~~',.i . ill\~" <r , ..,;r., - •cOl-lr

\t<"coPlt CER\\rltc
:
 28
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 SECTION 71 : Rehabilitation by Court

(1) Any offender may apply to the court for rehabilitat,or'

(2) Rehabilitation may only be applied for after 5 (five) years in the case of a conviction for felony and
after 3 (three) years in the case of a conviction for misdemeanour. These time-limits shall run from the
date following the day of his release in the case of a sentence to loss of liberty, or payment in the case
of a fine.

(3) The time-limit prescribed in Subsection (2) above shall be doubled in the case of persons with a
previous conviction

SECTION 72: Rehabilitation after death

(1) In the case of death of the offender, the application may be followed up or even filed by his spouse,
his ascendants or his descendants.

(2) In the case of death of the applicant, any application for rehabilitation already filed may be
continued by the Legal Department.

B - AMNESTY

SECTION 73: Effects of Amnesty

(1) Without prejudice to any civil right, an amnesty shall expunge a conviction and shall put an end to
the enforcement of all penalties, whether principal or accessory, and of all preventive measures
pronounced in consequence of the conviction, save confinement in a health institution and closure of
an establishment.

(2) Unless otherwise expressed, an amnesty shall bar the commencement or continuation of any
prosecution.

(3) Unless so expressed, an amnesty shall not relieve of the liability for any expenses due to the
Treasury in respect of a conviction which has become final.

(4) Unless so expressed, it shall not affect the right of the Treasury to any sums already collected in
satisfaction of expenses, fines or confiscation.

(5) Unless so expressed, it shall by itself neither restore to any decoration nor restore to any order
forfeited.

29 -
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 (6) Unless so expressed 1t shall not ot 1tseIf restore to anv 0ublic service employment or ffice, and
shall give no rig'1• to restorat10 o the posItIon In a public service which, but for the conv1ctlon,
would have been attained

(7) It shall be no bar to an application for revision with a view to establishing innocence in fact

PART Ill CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF NATURAL PERSONS ANO

CORPORATE BODIES

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 74: Punishment and Responsibility

(1) No penalty may be imposed except upon a person criminally responsible.

(2) Criminal responsibility shall lie on him who intentionally commits each of the ingredient acts or
omissions of an offence with the intention of causing the result which completes it.

(3) Save as otherwise provided by law, no criminal responsibility shall arise from the result, though
intended, of an omission.

(4) Save as otherwise provided by law, there shall be no criminal responsibility unless subsection (2)
of this Section has been satisfied.

Provided that responsibility for a simple offence shall not require any intention to act or to omit or to
cause the result.

SECTION 74-1: Criminal responsibility of corporate bodies.

a) Corporate bodies shall be criminally responsible for offences committed on their behalf by their
organs or representatives.

b) The provisions of the subsection (a) above shall not apply to the State and its agencies.

c) The criminal responsibility of natural persons who are authors of reprehensible acts may be
compounded with that of corporate bodies.

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 SECTION 75 . Ignorance of Law and Motive

Neither ignorance of the law nor motive shall be material to cnmIna1 responsibility

SECTION 76: Execution of the Law

No act or omission in execution of the law or authorized by law, and performed in accordance with the
conditions prescribed by law, shall constitute an offence.

CHAPTER II IRRESPONSIBILITY AND DIMINISHED RESPONSIBILITY

SECTION 77: Accident and Physical Compulsion

No criminal responsibility shall aw·;;e....fr.aro..acJ::.idalll~:...h:QID, irresistible ,,,.;,:,,;;CEDE LA

REPU8LIOUEphysical compulsion.

SEC;:ctAAlAJ CENBW. ::_~•: ::;i., i•Chitl LEG!Sv'ilf EHfGHM

COPIE CEP.llFIEE CONFOR SECTION 78: Insanity

(1) No criminal responsibility shall arise from the act or omission of a person suffering from mental
illness which deprives him of all will-power or of the knowledge that what he does is blameworthy.

(2) Mental illness whose consequences are only partial shall diminish responsibility.

SECTION 79: Intoxication

Involuntary intoxication shall have the same effect as mental illness.

SECTION 80: Infancy

(1) No criminal responsibility shall arise from the act or omission of a person aged less than 10 (ten)
years.

(2) An offence committed by a person aged not less than 10 (ten) years and not less than 14 (fourteen)
years may attract only such special measures as may by law be provided.

(3) For an offence committed by a person aged over 14 (fourteen) and under 18 (eighteen) years,
responsibility shall be diminished.

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 <4) A person aged 18 (eighteen) years or over shall be responsible as ar adult

(5) The age relevant to this Section shall be that attained at the date of commission.

SECTION 81 : Threats

(1) No criminal responsibility shall arise from submission to threats, not otherwise avoidable, of
imminent death or of grievous harm as defined by this Code.

Provided that where the act committed is defined as an offence punishable with death or has resulted
in death or in grievous harm, the responsibility of the person committing the act shall be merely
diminished.

(2) This Section shall not apply to a person who has voluntarily exposed himself to the risk of such
threats.

SECTION 82: Compulsion

Responsibility shall be diminished for an t e~nc~e~ c~~~ !!t::::::::::::::::::.J

a) by a person aged less than 18 (eighteen) years under the compulsion of his parents or of the person
having charge of him, or responsible for him under customary law ;

b) by an employee or subordinate under the compulsion of his employer or superior.

SECTION 83: Obedience to Lawful Authority

(1) No criminal responsibility shall arise from an act performed on the orders of a competent authority
to whom obedience is lawfully due.

(2) This Section shall not apply where the order is manifestly unlawful.

SECTION 84: Lawful Defence

(1) No criminal responsibility shall arise from an act dictated by the immediate necessity of defence of
the person acting or of any other person, or of any right of himself or of any other, against an unlawful
infringement:

Provided that the means of defence be proportionate to the seriousness of the infringement threatened.

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 (2) Intentional killing shall be proportionate tc a•· attack causing a 1easonable apprehension of deatt
of grievous harm as aefined by this Code of rape or of sodomy.

SECTION 85: Provocation

(1) Responsibility shall be diminished for an offence immediately provoked by the unlawful act of
another against the offender or, in his presence, against his spouse, descendant or ascendant, brother or
sister, employer or employee, or a minor or incapable in his charge.

Provided that the reaction be proportionate to the provocation.

(2) Intentional killing or wounding shall be proportionate to a provocation by violent blows or injuries.

(3) Intentional killing or wounding of a spouse or of his or her lover shall be proportionate to the
provocation of finding them in the act of adultery.

(4) In order to diminish responsibility provocation must be of a kind to deprive an ordinary person of
self-control.

SECTION 86: State of Necessity

No criminal responsibility shall arise from an infringement of a right of property, not justified as
lawful defence under Section 84, but inflicted in order to protect the person acting or any other person,
or his or another's property, from a grave and imminent danger not otherwise avoidable. Provided that
the means of protection be proportionate to the harm.

SECTION 87: Effect of Diminished Responsibility

(1) Wherever responsibility is by law diminished, the penalty provided for the offence shall be
reduced as follows:

a) The penalty of death or of loss of liberty for life shall be reduced to loss of liberty for from 2 (two)
to 10 (ten) years;

b) Any other penalty for felony shall be reduced to loss of liberty for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years;

c) The maximum penalty for misdemeanour, whether of loss of liberty or of fine, shall be reduced by
half, and the minimum to that provided by Section 92 (1) of this Code.

33
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 (21 Where respons1b1lity is reduced for more than one reason or where there are in addition
'Tiitigating circumstances the minimum shall be that provided by Section 92 (1).

CHAPTER Ill AGGRAVATION OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITYOF NATURAL

PERSONS AND CORPORATE BODIES

SECTION 88: Previous convictions of natural persons and corporate bodies

(1) A recidivist shall be:

a) any natural person or corporate body who, having been convicted for a felony or misdemeanour,
commits another simple offence classified as felony or misdemeanour within the time-limit running
from the date of final conviction and which expires 5 (five) years after the execution or expiry of the
sentence ;

b) any natural person or corporate body who, having been convicted for a simple offence commits
another simple offence within the time-limit running from the date of final conviction, which expires
12 (twelve) months after the execution or expiry of the sentence.

(2) In case of recidivism, the maximum penalty provided for shall be doubled.

SECTION 89: Public servants

(1) Subject to any special penalties provided for felonies or misdemeanours committed by national,
foreign or international public servants, national, foreign or international public officers or national,
foreign or international officials, the fact of being a public servant established or otherwise shall
aggravate the responsibility of any such person guilty of any other felony or misdemeanour against
which it is his duty to guard or to take action.

(2) In case of aggravating circumstances, the maximum penalty provided for shall be doubled.

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 CHAPTER IV MITIGATION AND SELECTION OF SENTENCE

SECTION 90: Mitigation

The benefit of mitigating circumstances may be given, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment,
save where they are by law expressly excluded.

SECTION 91: Mitigation in Case of Felony

(1) Upon a finding of mitigating circumstances in favour of any person convicted of felony, the
sentence may be reduced to not less than 10 (ten) years' loss of liberty if the offence be punishable
with death, to not less than 5 (five) years if it be punishable with loss of liberty for life, and to not less
than 1 (one) year in any other case.

(2) Where the penalty is reduced under the last subsection to 10 (ten) years or less the court may add a
fine of up to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

SECTION 92: Mitigation in Other Cases

(1) Upon a finding of mitigating circumstances after conviction of misdemeanour or of a simple

offence, the court may reduce to 5 (five) days any sentence of loss of liberty, and any sentence of fine
to CFAF 1 (one), and may pass sentence of one such penalty only.

(2) Where the offence is by law punishable with loss of liberty only, the court may substitute a fine of
up to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) for misdemeanour or up to CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand)
for a simple offence.

SECTION 93: Selection of Sentence

Sentence of penalty or measure shall vary, within such limits as may be prescribed or authorized by
law, according to the circumstances of the offence, and to the public danger which it may represent, to
the circumstances of the offender and to the likelihood of his reformation, and to the practical means
of carrying it out.

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 CHAPTER V ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY

SECTION 94: Attempt

(1) An attempt to commit a felony or misdemeanour shall mean the performance of any act towards its
commission unambiguously indicating an irrevocable intention to commit it, and shall be treated,
where execution has been arrested or has failed solely by reason of circumstances independent of the
offender's will. as the commission of the felony or misdemeanour attempted.

(2) An attempt shall be punishable notwithstanding that complete execution was impossible by reason
of a circumstance of fact unknown to the offender.

(3) Mere preparation shall not constitute an offence.

SECTION 95: Conspiracy

(1) Conspiracy shall mean the resolve concerted and determined between 2 (two) or more persons to
commit an offence.

(2) There can be no conspiracy between husband and wife.

(3) Conspiracy to commit a felony or misdemeanour shall be treated, where execution has failed solely
by reason of circumstances independent of the conspirators' joint will as the commission of the felony
or misdemeanour resolved.

(4) The responsibility of a conspirator voluntarily withdrawing from the conspiracy before execution
has commenced shall be diminished.

(5) No penalty may be imposed upon a conspirator who prevents the execution of the offence resolved
or who before any attempt at execution informs the administrative or judicial authorities of the co ·

• , •• • -. ~-, OEt A REPUaUOUE~,. ,:..+..;:.,, .., ~!:~:r,-a1111GF. ...,'f9AL_

CHAPTER 1,,., ~l. , .w•i.,~1,LA••• cu,,,LE" PARTICIPATI N COP\E c;ERTlriEECONFO

SECTION 96: Co-offenders

A co-offender shall mean a person who, in agreement with another, takes part with him in the
commission of an offence.

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 SECTION 97: Accessories

(1) An accessory shall mean a person who abets the commission of a felony or misdemeanour, that is:

a) who orders or in any manner causes the commission of an act or omission so defined; or

b) who aids or facilitates the preparation or the commission of such an offence.

(2) Attempted abetment shall be treated as abetment.

SECTION 98: Punishment of Co-offenders and Accessories

(1) Subject to any special provision of law, a co-offender and an accessory shall be punishable in like
manner as a sole or principal offender.

(2) Circumstances resulting in the irresponsibility of any person, or in his exemption from punishment
or reduction or increase of his punishment, shall, where personal, affect only the person concerned.

(3) Circumstances other than personal shall affect any co-offender or accessory who could have
foreseen them.

SECTION 99: Foreseeable Consequences

(1) Any co-offender or accessory to the commIssIon or attempted commission of a felony or

misdemeanour shall also be responsible in respect of any other offence committed or attempted as a
foreseeable consequence of the agreement or abetment.

SECTION 100: Accessory after the Fact

(1) An accessory after the fact sha mean a person who after the commission of a felony or
misdemeanour shelters an offender or his accessories from arrest or from Investigation, or who has
custody of or disposes of anything taken, misappropriated or otherwise obtained by means of the
offence.

(2) This Section shall not apply as between husband and wife.

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 (3) Ar accessory after the ac- shall oe punis ea under spec1a1 provisions of law

PART IV STATE LAWS

SECTION 101: Breach of State Laws and Others

(1) Where any law of either Federated State expressly so provides, any breach of such law which is
not defined or punishable under this Code or any other federated law shall be punished with
imprisonment for up to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand) to
CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Breach of any order lawfully issued under such law shall constitute a simple offence.

BOOK II PARTICULAR CRIMES

PARTI FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS AGAINST THE STATE

CHAPTER 1 THE SECURITY OF THE STATE

A -EXTERNAL SECURITY

SECTION 102: Hostilities against the Fatherland

Any citizen:

a) taking part in hostilities against the Republic; b) or assisting or offering to assist the said hostilities;
shall be guilty of treason and punished with death.

SECTION 103: Other Felonies Punishable with Death

Shall, if a citizen, be guilty of treason and, if a foreigner, be guilty of espionage, and shall in e
ither.case be punished with death whoever:

a) instigates a foreign power to undertake hostilities against the Republic; or

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 b surrenders or offers to surrender to a foreign power or to its agents any troops, territory, installations
or equipment employed in me defence of the nation, or any defence secret, or who in whatever manner
acquires such a secret with intent to surrender it to a foreign power;

c) with intent to inJure the defence of the nation, damages any construction, installation or equipment,
or commits any malpractice liable to prevent their normal working or to lead to an accident.

SECTION 104: Penalties of Ordinary Law

On reduction of the penalty provided by Sections 102 and 103, any loss of liberty shall be
imprisonment.

SECTION 105: Prejudice Punishable with Ten Years

Shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 10 (ten) years or with fine of from CFAF 100
000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million), or with both such imprisonment and
fine whoever in time of peace:

1. otherwise than in order to surrender it to a foreign power, acquires a defence secret, or reveals such
secret to a person not entitled to know it ;

2. with intent to surrender them to a foreign power collects information, articles, documents or
processes, where advantage could be taken of such collection to injure the defence of the nation ;

3. intrudes by any deceitful means into any installation, ship, aircraft or vehicle employed in the
defence of the nation ;

4. carries out any drawing, survey or photographic or topographical operation within any defence
installation or within any prohibited area around it as laid down by the defence authorities and without
their permission ;

5. loiters within a fixed distance prohibited by competent authority around a defence installation ;

6. fl ies without permission in a foreign aircraft over the territory of the Republic ;

7. sets up secretly a means of correspondence or of long distance transmission liable to injure the
defence of the nation ;

8. by any activity not approved by the Government exposes the Republic to reprisals ;

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 9 enlists or undertakes traInI19 without pnor perr IssI0I of the con ,e tent Cameroon authorities In the
Armed Forces or Police Forces of a foreign country and engages in activities injurious to the defence
of the nation or in activities capable of eventually exposing the Republic to a rebellion or an
insurrection."

SECTION 106: Prejudice Punishable with Five Years

Shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years or with fine of from CFAF 50
000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 5 000 000 (five million). or with both such imprisonment and fine
whoever in time of peace:

1. carries on with the agents of a foreign power a course of communication liable to injure the defence
or diplomatic position of the Republic ;

2. Within the territory of the Republic and without the permission of the Government recruits or
enlists any person for any foreign armed forces ; or

3. by any activity not approved by the Government exposes any citizen to reprisals; or

4. without permission from the Government surrenders or communicates to a foreign power or its
agents any invention connected with the defence of the nation, or any information, study or process
regarding such an invention, or any industrial application connected with the defence of the nation; or

5. by rashness, carelessness, or breach of any regulation, permits the removal or observation, whether
in whole or in part, and for however short a time, of any article, equipment, document or information
entrusted to him or in his care, and knowledge of which is liable to lead to the discovery of a defence
secret; or

,- - - -0...., by rashness, carelessness, or breach of any regulation permits the damage or destruction of
any object, equipment or document entrusted to him or in his care, where such damage or destruction
is prejudicial to the defence of the nation; or

being in control of any supplies, concern or undertaking on behalf of the armed forces. or being agent
for any supplier or a subcontractor, causes the service to fail or to be delayed, be it merely by
carelessness; or being in control of any supplies, concern or undertaking on behalf of the armed forces
commits a fraud in respect of the description, the quality or the amount of works, of labour or of
articles supplied.

'----r- - J

40

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 9 enlists undertakes training without prior permission of the competent Cameroon authorities, in the
Armed Forces or Police Forces of a foreign country "

SECTION 107: Failure to Report

Any citizen who in time of peace fails to inform the defence, administrative or legal authorities, so
soon as he comes to know of it, of any activity liable to injure the defence of the nation shall be
punished as under the last foregoing Section.

SECTION 108: Wartime

(1) Any citizen or resident who in time of war and without permission from the proper authority

a) carries on any correspondent or relations with the subjects or agents of the enemy; or

b) concludes, directly or indirectly, any business transaction with a subject or agent of the enemy, or
with any person residing in his territory.

(2) Shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years Whoever in time of
war:

a) joins in any undertaking to spread alarm and despondency in the defence forces or in the nation,
with intent thereby to injure the defence of the nation; or

b) commits any offence described by Sections 105, 106 or 107.

(3) Shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years. Whoever in time of
war commits any act of any kind liable to injure the defence of the nation shall, if no higher penalty be
provided, be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years, or with fine of from CFAF
50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 5 000 000 (five million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(4) For the purposes of subsections 2 and 3 of this Section, any state of emergency, mobilization or
siege shall be treated as time of war.

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 SECTION 109: Defence Secret

For the purposes of this Code a defence secret shall mean any information of whatever kind liable to
assist hostile undertakings against the Republic and not already made public.

SECTION 110: Extension to Foreign Power

The provisions of the foregoing Sections may be extended by decree so as to apply in like manner to
acts committed against foreign powers.

B- INTERNAL SECURITY OF THE STATE

SECTION 111: Secession

(1) Whoever undertakes in whatever manner to infringe the territorial integrity of the Republic shall be
punished with imprisonment for life.

(2) In time of war, or in a state of emergency or siege, the penalty shall be death.

SECTION 112: Civil War

Whoever provokes civil war by arming the people, or by inciting them to take arms against each other,
shall be punished with death.

SECTION 113: Propagation of False Information

Whoever sends out or propagates false information liable to injure public authorities or national unity
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3 (there) years and with fine of from
CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

On reduction of the penalty provided by Sections 111 (2) and 112, any loss of liberty shall be
imprisonment.

SECTION 114: Revolution

Whoever by force attempts to alter the laws composing the Constitution, or to overturn the political
authorities set up by the said laws or to render them incapable of exercising their powers shall be
punished with imprisonment for life.
:
:
 SECTION 115. Armed Band

(1) Whoever, with intent to commit a felony defined by Sections 11 1, 112 and 114, or to hinder the
operations of the forces of order against those committing any such felony, forms an armed band, or
holds any office or command in it or joins in such band's commission of or attempt to commit such
felony shall be punished with imprisonment for life.

(2) Any other member of such band shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to (twenty)
years.

(3) For the purposes of this Section an armed band shall mean any gathering of 5 (five) or more
persons of whom any one bears any arm, open or concealed.

(4) The provisions of Section 95 (5) of this Code shall apply to this Section.

SECTION 116: Insurrection

Whoever during an insurrection:

a) instigates or encourages by whatever means the gathering of the insurgent; or

b) hinders by whatever means the summoning, the assembly or the operations of the forces of order, or
usurps their command; or

c) invades or destroys any public or private building; or

d) holds or seizes any weapon, ammunition or explosives ; or

e) wears any official uniform, garb or emblem, whether civil or military,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1O(ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

SECTION 117: Weapons

For the purposes of the foregoing Section a weapon shall include both an arm properly so called and
any other article carried with intent thereby to inflict bodily harm or material damage.

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 C - ACCESSORY PENALTIES

SECTION 118: Specific Confiscation

On conviction for any felony or misdemeanour defined by this Chapter the confiscation prescribed by
Section 35 of this Code shall be ordered and may also be extended to property not belonging to the
offender.

SECTION 119: Confiscation of Unlawful Property

(1) Upon conviction for any felony or misdemeanour defined by this Chapter, the Court may order
confiscation of the offender's property, of whatever nature and whether or not held jointly, to which he
can show no lawful title.

(2) In time of war such confiscation shall always be ordered.

SECTION 120: General Confiscation

Upon conviction for any felony defined by this Chapter the Court may in addition order the
confiscation of all or part of the offender's property lawfully acquired.

SECTION 121: Forfeiture

(1) Upon conviction for a felony defined by this Chapter the duration of the forfeitures described in
Section 30 may not be reduced below 5 (five) years.

(2) Upon conviction for a misdemeanour and sentence under this Chapter to loss of liberty the Court
may order such forfeiture for not less than five nor more than 10 (ten) years.

(3)The duration of the post-penal measures described in Section 40 of this Code may be extended to
10 (ten) years.

(4) Where the offender, in case either of felony or misdemeanour, is an officer or official of the public
service or a member of the armed forces, the disqualification from public service may be for life.

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 CHAPTER II OFFENCES AGAINST THE CONSTIT . . RErua,1ouE

~· ;.:-,,,..1: ~ l>- ?R;.>,..-- • ...._,_a,,-.'1.CEH'.~,'t.L •.•on

ti fl aeGlu--·;SEC~~! .. A - ELECTORAL OFF NCES-J,.<.,,,E>l£c;:coNfOR

., CO?IE CERTIFI

SECTION 122: Electoral Fraud

(1)Whoever a) registers on electoral registers using a false identity or who, during

registration, conceals the fact that he has been:

- convicted for an offence, even in default ; - sentenced to an imprisonment term of more than 3 (three)
months

without suspension;

- sentenced to an imprisonment term of more than 6 (six) months with suspension or probation;

- the subject of an arrest warrant;

- bankrupt, not rehabilitated and whose bankruptcy has been declared either by a Cameroonian court
or by a judgment rendered abroad and enforceable in Cameroon;

b) through false statements or certificates, registers himself unduly on an electoral register or who,
through the same means, unduly registers or cancels the name of a citizen ;

c) upon losing his right to vote, participates in the poll ;

d) votes, either by virtue of a false registration or by using the name and capacity of other registered
voters ;

e) votes several times, following multiple registrations ;

f) charged during an election with receiving and counting the vote of citizens, subtracts, adds or
modifies the ballot papers or includes a name that is not registered ;

g) through false information, slanderous statements or any other fraudulent acts, cancels or diverts
votes or causes one or several voters to abstain from the vote ;

h) before or after the poll, fa iling to comply with legislative or regulatory provisions or through any
other fraudulent act violates secrecy of the poll, prejudices its fairness, breaches the conduct of the
poll and modifies the results thereof ;
:
 i) is found guilty of fraudulent acts in the issuance or production of certificates of registration or
striking off from electoral registers ;

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 , uses personal data contained in the electoral reg,ste ourposes other than elections

K) on polling day with or without violence, is found to be the author or an accessory of the stealing of
a ballot box or any other election material

shall be punished with imprisonment of from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years or a fine of from CFAF
50 000 (fifty) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine;

(2) Where the author of the offence or his accessory is a public servant, as defined under Section 131
of this Code, he shall be liable to imprisonment of from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

?~;·,,,i<ctOEv- RtPU!LlOUcI --~\i=~~ O•Ell~lSECTION 123: Corruption and Violence in E

e,~QllJM ll.'ET ,;:;·.t"' CO?IE CERHFIEE COt-lfO

Whoever:

a) through menacing gatherings, clamours or demonstrations, disrupts election operations or infringes

the exercise of the right or freedom to vote ;

b) On polling day, is found guilty of insult or violence against the local polling commission or any of
its members, or through assault or threats, delays or obstructs election operations;

c) through gifts, generosity, favours, promise of public or private employment or any other specific
benefits offered with the purpose of influencing the vote of one or several electors, obtains their vote,
either directly or through a third party;

d) directly or through a third party, accepts or requests from candidates the above-mentioned gifts,
generosity, favours or benefits;

e) through assault, violence or threats against an elector, either by making him fear to lose his job qr
expose himself, his family or fortune to danger, influences his vote,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years or with fine of from
CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 123-1: Weapons during Elections

(1) Any person who enters a polling station with a visible weapon shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 10 (ten) days to 2 (two) months or with a fine of from CFAF 25 000 (twenty-
five thousand) to CFAF 250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) or with both such imprisonment and
fine.

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 (2) The ,mpnsonment term may be extended to 4 1foun months d •ne fine to CFAF 500 000 (five
hundred thousand) if the Neapon 1s hidder

SECTION 123-2 : Political Demonstrations during the Electoral Period

(1) Any activity or manifestation of a political character shall be prohibited within public
establishments as well as in school and university establishments.

(2) Any infringement of the provisions of Subsection 1 above shall be punished with imprisonment for
from ten (10) days to four (4) months or with fine of from CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand) to
CFAF 250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 123-3: Misappropriation of Public Funds in Election Matters

Whoever, acting on his personal behalf or on behalf of a political party, uses funds received in the
context of public funding for purposes other than those provided for under the Law relating to the
Electoral Code, shall be liable to with the punishment provided for in Section 184 of the Penal Code.

SECTION 123-4: Criminal Proceedings in Election Matters

Save in case of flagrante delicto, no criminal proceedings shall be instituted against a candidate for
infringement of any of the provisions of Book II Part I Chapter 2 (A) of this law before the
proclamation of the election results.

B CONCERT - =-":..:..=..=~

SECTION 124: Against the Law, the Operation of a Security of the State

?::l :i,~c~Cc DEI.A REPU3Li0UE S!CiC,t.lt;.l C:NfRAi

1u·, :, •, . ,,:,,.,l ,,:;.JU1•' (l,!.:::! ME,t;, CO?IEce;:11, 1EE COi-FORM

Public Service, or t

(1) Any person in whom is vested any part of public authority, and any public servant, who with any
other such person concerts or determines:

- any measure contrary to law or to any regulation lawfully issued thereunder; or

- any measure, including collective resignation, designed primarily to obstruct or to interrupt the
carrying on of a public service.

Shall be punished with detention for from 6 (six) months to 3 (three) years.

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 (2) Where tr"' oricert 1s betwe "'e .1vil and m,lrtary aut" Les f- ,. ·11shment shall be rnpnsonmerit tc •
:"1 (one) to 10 (ten' years

(3) Where the object of the concert described in the last preceding subsection is a felony against the
sec mty of the State, the punishment shall be death.

C - TRESPASS

SECTION 125: On Legislature

Any public servant who:

a) assumes the exercise of legislative power ;

b) refuses to enforce any provision of law,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years.

SECTION 126: By Executive and Judiciary Reciprocally

Whoever:

- being the representative of the executive authority, issues any order or prohibition to any Court; or

- being a legal or judicial officer, issues any order or prohibition to any execution or administrative
authority - shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years.

SECTION 127: By Judicial or Particular Immunities

Any judicial, legal or investigating police officer who prosecutes, arrests or tries anyone in violation of
any law conferring immunity shall be punish with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.
,,,·,; c~ce oeu-RePuc

,.r .:. "'f.M~1~, ', •.:.

L:OUE ·•·- ,, r,-,;,J!IAI Gt••E?"-

•·-- ..,. q. . 1· ,t • ! l",) l>,• ..

D - MISUSE OF PUBLIC FO OE' ~'; ; E~;~-:,F;Et co:-.r-o, 1

SECTION 128: Unlawful Use of Force

Whoever requires or orders the intervention or the use of public force against the enforcement of any
provision of law or regulation, or against any lawful order, whether judicial or administrative, shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) to 10 (ten) years, and with fine of from CFAF 20 000
:
 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand).

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 SECTION 129: Non-Compliance with Requisition

Any commander of any public force who does not comply with a lawful requ1s1tion for its use by the
civil authorities shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years

E • ACCESSORY PENALTIES

SECTION 130: Forfeitures

On conviction for any misdemeanour under this Chapter the Court may impose for from 5 (five) to 10
(ten) years the forfeitures described by Section 30 of this Code.

CHAPTER Ill OFFENCES COMMITTED BY PUBLIC SERVANTS

A -PRELIMINARY

SECTION 131: Definition of Public Servant

For the purposes of any criminal law, a public servant shall include, any judicial or legal officer, any
law official, any employee or official of the State or of any other body corporate governed by public
law, or of a corporation or semi-public corporation, of a law official, any Armed Forces or
Gendarmerie serviceman, any employee of the National Security or Prison Administration and any
person charged, whether continuously or occasionally with any public duty, mission or task, while
acting in the discharge of his office or in relation to the said office.

SECTION 131-1: Foreign or International Public Servant

For the purposes of this Code, a foreign or international public official shall include any appointed or
elected legislative, executive, administrative, or judicial officer of a foreign country, or of a public
international organization, and any public service employee of a foreign country or of any other public
corporate body.

SECTION 132: Aggravation for Public Servants

(1) Any public servant who uses force to any person shall be punished, where no heavier punishment
is provided, with imprisonment for from six months to five years.

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 (2)The µurnsnment provided >} ;:,ectto11s 189 '- . 1-, 1mg Governmen papers); 206 (licences and
similar documents), 207 (official certificates); 291 (1) (false arrest), 292 (forced labour), 299 (invasion
of residence); 300 (tampering with correspondence); 310 (professional s&crecy); 315 (forged
certificate) shall be doubled where the offender is a public servant.

SECTION 133: Forfeitures, Confiscation and Publicity

(1) Upon conviction for any offence defined in this Chapter, or sentence under Section 89 of this
Code, the Court may impose on the public servant found guilty the forfeitures described by Section 30
of this Code.

Provided that the Court shall be bound to impose the forfeitures listed in Section 30 in the cases
covered by Sect ions 134, 134-1 , 135, 136 and 161of this Code.

(2) Where sentence is passed for any offence referred to in Sections 134, 134-1, 135, 136 and 161 of
this Code, the Court shall be bound to order the confiscation provided for in Section 35 and that its
judgment be made known by print, audiovisual and cybernetic media.

B - UNDUE ADVANTAGE

SECTION 134: Active Corruption

(1) Any national, foreign or international civil servant or public employee who, for himself or for a
third party, solicits, accepts or receives any offer, promise, gift or present in order to perform, refrain
from performing or postpone any act of his office shall be punished with imprisonment of from 5
(five) to 10 (ten) years or with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000
(two million).

(2) The penalty provided for in Subsection 1 above shall be imprisonment for from one to 5 (five)
years and with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million)
where the act is not part of the duties of the corrupt person but has been facilitated by his position.

(3) Any national or international public official who solicits and accepts any retribution in kind or in
cash for himself or a third party, in remuneration for an act that has or has not been performed, shall be
punished with the penalties provided for under Sub-section 2 abov ??., ;:;:.S1ct0EtAREPueuoue

! ! C~:ITAAtAl G~~f9M suw:~ :1., f1Ct4:ti~ ~~$I.Su:£' El ~s:; on •· t

COPIE CEP.11FIEE CON ME

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 (4) Penalties provided for under Subsections 1 2 and shall be doubled where the offender 1s a Judicial
or Lega Officer a Juo, a Police Officer an employee of the 1nst1tut1on m charge of the fight against
corruption the head of an administrative unit or any other sworn public servant or employee

SECTION 134-1: Passive corruption

(1) Whoever makes promises, offers, gifts and presents or yields to requests liable to result in
corruption in order to obtain either the performance, postponement or abstention from an act or one of
the favours or benefits defined in Section 134 above, shall be punished in like manner as under
Section 134 (1) above, whether corruption produced its effects or not.

(2) Whoever makes gifts or presents or yields to requests for remuneration for an act performed or
deliberately not performed shall be punished with penalties provided for in Section 134 (2) above.

SECTION 134-2: Exemption from Criminal Proceedings

In the application of Sections 134 and 134-1 above, criminal proceedings shall not be brought against
the person approached provided he reports the acts of corruption to judicial authorities.

SECTION 135: Interest in grant

(1) Any public servant or government employee who takes or accepts any interest, direct or indirect:

a) In any grant, contract or selection of tenders subject to his opinion or which he supervised,
controlled, administered or drew up; or

b) In any private concern, cooperative or corporation in which the State has shares, in any authority or
concession subject to his supervision or control; or

c) In contracts or agreements signed on behalf of the State or a local authority with a natural person or
corporate body; or

d) In any business for which it is his duty to authorize payment or liquidation;

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 shall be punished with impriso Irnent for from 1 (onei to " (five) years and with fine of fro, ~FAF 200
000 vo liundred thousand' tv CFAF 2 00 000 (two million).

(2) The provisions of this Section shall be applicable to former public servants as defined in Section
131 of this Code who, within 5 (five) years from cessation of duties as a result of resignation,
dismissal, leave, placement on reserve or retirement or for any other reason having any kind of interest
in any grant, operation or concern mentioned above and previously subject to their supervision,
control and administration or for whose payment or liquidation they were responsible.

SECTION 135-1: Insider Trading

Whoever being:

a) a commercial or industrial company manager, or a natural person, who by reason of their duties or
professions, has insider information on the situation or prospects of the issuer of stocks and shares
whose transferrable securities are on the market, performs or knowingly helps to perform either
directly or indirectly, transactions before public disclosure of such Information, with the objective of
obtaining an undue profit;

b) a natural person who, in the course of his duties or profession, has access to privileged information
on the situation or prospects of the issuer of stocks and shares whose transferrable securities are on the
market, and who beyond the scope of his ordinary duties of profession, transmits the information to a
third party with a view to obtaining an undue profit;

c) natural person, in the exercise of his profession or duties, possesses privileged information that is
considered confidential, relating to the implementation of a project by the State, regional and local
authority or any other public corporate body, uses the information to his advantage or that of a third
party so as to delay the envisioned project or to include additional costs;

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from
CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) to CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million) ;

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 1· The punishment shall be doublec .vhere the offender 1s serva·i. or a public emplovee as defmen h
•h1o; Code

SECTION 135-2: Interference with the Financial Market

(1) Any natural person or corporate body who:

rigs the functioning of the market ;

- gives undue advantage to persons who would not have had it under normal market conditions ;

- violates the right to equal information and treatment of investors or their interests ;

- allows issuers and investors to engage in practices contrary to their obligations ;

- habitually provides investment services to third parties without authorization ;

- carries out negotiations or transactions other than those provided for by the regulations in force on
securities listed on the stock market without referring to an investment service provider,

shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand) to CFAF 5 000 000 (five
million).

(2) Any natural person or corporate body who knowingly propagates false or deceptive information on
the situation or prospects of an issuer whose securities are on the market such as to influence the
prices, or interfere or attempt to interfere, in any manner, with the proper functioning of the market,
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years or with fine of from
CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) to CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million) or with both such imprisonment and
fine.

(3) The accessory penalties provided for in Sections 33, 34 and 35 of this Code may also be imposed
by the competent court.

(4) The competent court may, in addition, and if need be, impose a fine higher than the amounts
provided for in Subsection 1 above and up to ten fold the profit made. The amount imposed shall not
be lower than the said profit.

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 SECTION 136: Interest in concern

(1) Any person whose duties nclude the superv1s1on of any concerJ'I undertaking or concession, or
the expression of an opinion on its operations. and who, in any manner, assists or shares in its
financing or operation, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years
or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million) or with both
such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The like assistance or sharing, except by way of shares inherited, within 5 (five) years of cessation
of such duties shall be punished as provided for in Subsection 1 above.

SECTION 136 -1: Prohibited Employment

Any public employee holding administrative functions, whether temporary or not, of control,
supervision, or counseling in a private company who, before the expiry of a period of 3 (three) years,
with effect from the end of his functions, joins the managerial staff or enters into a contract of
employment with the said company, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2
(two) years or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million) or
with both such imprisonment and fine.

C - OFFENCES AGAINST THE PUBLIC I

SECTION 137: Indulgence against the State

Any public servant or public employee who grants exemption from any fee, due, duty, tax or
contribution, or who sells at a lesser price than that prescribed, any property of the State, of a
cooperative, or of any authority or corporation either public or subject to the administrative control of
the State, or in which the State holds, whether directly or not, the majority of the shares, shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 20 000
(twenty thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

SECTION 138: Failure to Report Deficiency

Any public servant or foreign public employee, having knowledge of any cash or book deficiency in
the accounts of a public employee under his orders or supervision, and fai ling to report the deficiency
to the legal authorities or to his immediate superior, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1
(one)

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 to 5 (five i years and with fine of frorr '.:~ Ar C 000 one "u ed tnousand 1 • ~FAF 000 ..,11 one
million).

SECTION 139: Negligent Custody

Any custodian who by negligence permits

- destruction, defacement or abstraction of any property described by Section 187 of this Code, shall
be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 10
000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) ;

- abstraction, removal or destruction within the meaning of Section 188, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten
thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) ;

- breach of seals as described by Section 191, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six)
days to 6 (six) months;

- escape or rescue within the meaning of Section 193, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2
two mo s to 2 (two) yeacs

?i<:i,JEr,CEDELA REPUE'JOUE ;::iciAkiAT GEN!.?Ai.

D - OFFENCES AGAINST PRIVA E11NT E'DC!.~~n; £T~!GlEM&n ONFORM

SECTION 140: Abuse of function - (1) Any public servant or foreign public employee who takes
advantage

of his position to infringe any private right or interest, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1
(one) to 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty
thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Where the offence is committed with the intent to procure to the offender or to another any

gain of any kind, imprisonment, shall be for from 2 (two) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from
CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 141 : Against Civic Rights

Any public servant who obstructs the exercise by a citizen of his electoral rights, or his exercise or
enjoyment of the rights mentioned in Section 30 (1), (2), (4) or (5) of this Code, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

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 SECTION 142 Undue Dema11d

Any public servant or public employee, notary public, public auctioneer, baili ff or process server or
representative of any such who demands any fee, due, duty or tax which is not due, or any material
benefit otherwise than on payment of the proper price, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2
(two) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF (two
million).

SECTION 143: Favouritism

(1) Any public servant who decides between parties based on favour or ill will shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

(2) Where that person is a judicial and legal officer or an administrative

SECTION 144: Forgery of Official Act

(1) Any public servant or public employee who falsely makes or alters, whether in its substance or in
the dates or signatures of the parties or witnesses, any deed entry or other writing which it is his duty
to draw up, record, certify or serve, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20
(twenty) years and with fine of from CFAF 300 000 (three hundred thousand) to CFAF 3 000 000
(three million).

(2) Whoever uses such document shall be punished as provided fo Subsection (1) above. .,,. ~,,..ce
DH-' ks-u11.:ouE

cr•EME r ,...,.,,<J.. .. £-;>Ai.

~:e;,~i'l.Ai C-;"-1 ... ! :v r,Cnln l E.GiStAilf El '(i;.,: ..

E - CULPABLE ABSTEN 1<9 ~OPIECE?.TIFIEECONfO

SECTION 145: Failure to Suppress Riot

Any public servant who, having the power, the duty and the means so to do, refrains from dispersing a
riot within the meaning of Section 232 of this Code, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3
(three) months to 2 (two) years.

SECTION 146: Failure to Protect Private Rights

Any civil servant, who, having the power, the duty and the means so to do, refrains from preventing
the use of force against any person, or his deprivation of liberty or any obstruction to the exercise of
his civic or

56
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 individual rights within the mean J 01 Section 14 1 of th1!'. ,ode shall be, punished as an accessory

SECTION 147: Denial of Justice

Any person exercising judicial functions who declines, after having been duly moved in that behalf, to
issue a decision, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years.

SECTION 148: Refusal of Service

Any public servant, notary public, public auctioneer, bailiff or process server who, having been
lawfully required, refrains from performance of any duty of his office, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years.

SECTION 149: Neglect of Preliminaries to Marriage

(1) Any registrar of births, marriages and deaths who registers a marriage celebrated by himself:

a) without checking that all consents required for its validity have been given; or

b) before the expiry of such time as may be prescribed in case the wife has already been married, shall
be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF
5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 70 000 (seventy thousand).

(2) The consequences of the irregularity in civil law shall be immaterial to the applicability of this
Section.

SECTION 150 : Keeping of Civil Status Register

(1) Any civil status registrar who:

a) makes any entry elsewhere than in the registers prescribed for that purpose or fails to make such
entries ;

b) having received a birth or death declaration fails to register it;

c) celebrates a marriage for which he is not territorially competent ;

d) makes an entry other than those provided for ;

e) knowingly registers a marriage for which banns were not published or to which the impediment
raised has not been lifted ;

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 ;.«;,.:ia-.ce oe lA REl'Usuoue

•,;,.,,/ Cnl!lLECISlAl1 ETliEClEM(J · ir.1EE CONFORM

' 'egIsters a customary marriage wh,c as not beer certrf1ed ov he ustomary heads ' 1he two spouse!'.

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) months and with fine of from CFAF
2 000 (two ·thousand) to CFAF 40 000 (forty thousand).

(2) Whoever, though bound by law to declare a vital event, and for no legitimate reason, fails to do so,
or makes a false or inaccurate declaration, shall be punished as provided for in Subsection 1 above.

SECTION 151 : Persistent Neglect

(1) Any public servant or private sector employee whose persistent neglect or obstruction is the cause
of procrastination, delay or confusion, or who persistently refrains from performing any duty of his
office shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of
from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) Proceedings may be instituted only upon the prior complaint of his superior.

CHAPTER IV !;Cil:iARIAr Cf>lf~AJ.

.:,O::.,.FF_,,E,,_,N.,,;C :,,:G~A=IN.:.:,S::,_T,_,_P.,.U:.::B:.,:L::,.IC,:...::A:,,;U::,_T R;,.T-Y_,_

:.E=S..::A '-'t!.::,E)CL .., t CcR

A - CONTEMPT AND ASSAU T - SECTION 152: Contempt

(1) A contempt shall mean any defamation, abuse or threat conveyed by gesture, word or cry uttered in
any place open to the public, or by any procedure intended to reach the public.

(2) The exceptions defined by Section 306 shall be applicable to contempt.

(3) Prosecution shall be barred by the lapse of four months from commission of the offence or from
the last step in preparation or prosecution.

SECTION 153: Contempt of President

(1) Whoever commits a contempt of the President of the Republic or any person exercising the whole
or a part of their prerogatives, or of any foreign Head of State shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 1 (one) to

58
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 ME

5 (five) years or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 20 000 000 rtwenty
million) or with both such ;mpnsonmem and fine.

(2) Whoever commits a contempt of any foreign Head of Government, or of any minister in charge of
foreign affairs of a foreign Government, or of a diplomatic representative accredited to the
Government of the Republic shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two)
years or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 20 000 000 (twenty million), or
with both such imprisonment and fine.

- ~,-•Dil'iGE0t V. REPUBUOUE (3) The truth of the defamatory matter may nev r be
~r'6Y&.QMP.IATGE~St•t

ltl!V,~;~!J f,CH!Eit LEGISlA;w; El R-fGt. • § OPIE CERJIFlcE CON

SECTION 154: Contempt of Public Bodies and Pu I1c ervants

- (1 ) Whoever commits a contempt:

a) of any Court, of any of the armed forces, or of any public body or public administration; or

b) in relation to his office or position, of any Member of Government or of Parliament, or of any

public servant;

shall be punished, unless, in the case of defamation, he proves the truth of the defamatory matter, with
imprisonment for 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years, or with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred
thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Whoever, whether in speech or in writing intended for the public, incites to revolt against the
Government or institutions of the Republic shall be punished with the penalties provided in subsection
{1 ) above.

SECTION 155: Where not Public

Where any defamation, abuse or threat has been committed otherwise than publicly against any person
defined by either of the last two foregoing Sections; the punishment whether of loss of liberty or of
fine, shall be halved.

SECTION 156: Assault on Public Servant

(1) Whoever uses force on a public servant or otherwise interferes with him, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 3 (three) years and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five
thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).
:
 (2) Where the force or interference is premeditated, or where it results, intentionally or otherwise, in
harm within the meaning of Sections 277 or 280

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 of this Code. the punishment shall be imprisonment for fron (tenJ vears and fine of 'rom CFAF= 20 00
itwen.y tho1,; 500 000 (five hundred thousand)

~ve) to 10 u CFAF

(3) The Court may In any Section 30 of this Code

case impose the forfeitures -:Jescribed by

(4) Where the force or interference results unintentionally in death, the punishment shall be
imprisonment for life.

(5) Where the force or interference is intended to cause death the punishment shall be death.

8 - RESISTANCE

SECTION 157: Resistance

(1) Whoever:

a) by any means whatever incites to the obstruction of the execution of any law, regulation, or lawful
order of the public authority;

b) by force or other interference obstructs the performance of lawful, duty by any person engaged in
the execution of any law, regulation, decision in the administration of justice or other lawful order
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 4 (four) years.

(3)In the case provided under subsection 1 (b) above, the punishment, shall be for from 1 (one) to 5
(five) years if the offender or any co-offender is armed.

SECTION 158: Collective Resistance

(1) Where the offence defined in the last foregoing Section is committed by 5 (five) or more persons
together the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 1 (one) to (3) three years, and where at least 2
(two) of them openly bear arms the imprisonment shall be for from 5 (five) to 15 (fifteen) years.

(2) Any co-offender who himself bears arms, open or concealed, shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 5 (five) to15 (fifteen) years.

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 SECTION 159 - Political Resistance (repealed).

C - 1NFLUENCE AND FRAUD

SECTION 160: Compulsion of Public Servant.

Whoever by interference or threat procures a public servant improperly to perform or to refrain from
any act of his office, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 10 (ten) years and with
fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 161: Procuring Influence.

(1) Whoever by assault or threat or by gift or promise corrupts a person having any influence, real or
supposed, with interest to procure any advantage from any public authority, shall be punished in like
manner as under Section 160.

(2) Any public servant or public employee who for himself or a third party solicits, receives or accepts
any offer, promise or gift to procure any advantage from any public authority or body placed under the
control of the public authority, any contract, operation or other benefit arising from agreements
concluded with pubic authority or a body placed under the control of the public authority and in this
way taking undue advantage of the real or supposed influence that his status or office has conferred
upon him shall be punished in like manner as under Section 160 of this Code.

SECTION 162: Misleading Public Servant.

(1) Whoever by any false statement influences the conduct of a public servant shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 3 (three) months and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five
thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand).

(2) Where the statement is a report relating to the registration of any birth, marriage or death, the
imprisonment shall be from 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years.

(3) Where the statement is made on oath the imprisonment shall be from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

(4) Whoever by any means procures the entry in the criminal record of any one person of the
conviction of any other shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to (5) five years.

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 "'"""'

(5) Whoever by any means procures the improper issue ro hImselt ot an extract from the criminal
record of another person shall be punished ,r;1th imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year

SECTION 163: Fraud at Examinations

Whoever commits any fraud at an examination or competition with intent thereby to procure his entry
into any public service, or any degree certificate or qualification issued by the State or by a public
service, whether national or foreign shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 3
(three) years or with fine of from CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two
million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION.163 - 1: Corruption in administrative competitive examinations or other

examinations

(1) Whoever, through corruption facilitates the success or causes the failure of a candidate in an
administrative competitive examination or other examinations shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years or with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF
2 000 000 (two million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Whoever through corruption declares successful one or more candidates who did not sit for an
examination shall be punished as provided for in Subsection 1 above.

D - PERVERSION OF JUSTICE SECTION 164: Perjury

(1) Whoever in any proceeding gives on oath or affirmation false evidence capable of influencing the
decision, shall be punished, where he may no longer alter it:

a) Where the proceeding terminates in an order of discharge, with imprisonment for from 3

(three) months to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 50 000
(fifty thousand) ;

b) Where the proceeding is a criminal trial and the charge is:

- of simple offence, with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 3 (three) years and with fine of from
CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand);
;;,,;,jEr-.CEDEIARtPUBUOUE

SECRCIARl"T Ce»fRAL mmc: ;!,l r,Ot,E~ tfG1SlA111 El li!GtfA

COPIE CERTIFIEE CONF62

:
:
 ')f m sdemeanour wit t"I prisorw1ent for 'ro one to 5 (five) year-; a "' 1ti •1 ne of from CFAF nor e
tho•,'-" '<> CFAF 500 00l r1undred thousand);

of felony. with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and w1tn fine of from CFAF 50 000
(fifty thousand' to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million);

- of felony punishable with death, with imprisonment for life.

c) In the case of any other proceeding with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with
fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) Where the false witness has received any gift or accepted any promise, any penalty of limited
duration and any fine shall be doubled, and any such gift shall be confiscated.

(3) Any interpreter who in any proceeding distorts the meaning of any words or writing which he is
bound to translate shall be punished in like manner as if he had committed perjury.

?;=,.DEr,Cc 0£I.AR&UBLIOUE St'CQ.El.-7.lAT C!~ER:At

S~VJC! OU F~i,,flC lnii.>U.TIF £1 t~$ LEM ,A

COPIE CER!IFIEE CONFOP.SECTION 165: False Expert Report

An expert referee making a false report which he may no anger a ter shall be punished as provided by
Section 164 (2).

SECTION 166: False Oath

Any party to judicial proceedings other than criminal who swears falsely to any point the truth of
which has been committed to his oath shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five)
years and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

SECTION 167: Concealment of Proceeding

Any party to judicial proceedings who keeps his opponent, by any false pretence within the meaning
of Section 318 (1) (c), in ignorance of any step against him shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 1
000 000 (one million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 168: Concealment and Fabrication of Evidence

(1) Whoever with intent to influence any judicial proceeding:

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 destroys or conceals any phy5,cal ev1denc.t-.: Jbstructs the attendance of a witness; or

- fabricates or uses false physical evidence or misleads a witness;

shall be punished in like manner as if he had committed perjury, according to the distinctions drawn
by Section 164.

(2) Whoever obtains from any person a promise not to report a felony or misdemeanour, or not to give
evidence, shall be punished in like manner. Provided that this subsection shall not apply to a promise
obtained without the aid of the means described by Section 161 from the victim of a misdemeanour or
his legal representative.

SECTION 169: Prejudicial Comment

(1) Whoever refers publicly to any judicial proceeding not yet terminated by final judgment in a
manner liable to influence, whether intentionally or not, the opinion of any person for or against any
party, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 3 (three) months and with fine
of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

(2) Nothing in this Section shall apply to an account in good faith of proceedings in open Court.

(3) Where the offence is committed through the print media, radio or television, the imprisonment
shall be from three months to two years and the fine from one hundred thousand to five million francs.

SECTION 170: Forfeitures

Upon conviction under any of the last five foregoing Sections the Court may impose the forfeitures
described by Section 30 of this Code.

TIC B ESIDEt<CE0HA RcPUBllOUE /1 SfCREIARIAl C!mAAL

E - REFUSAL TO ASSIST J rSe.it11c: :uFt01iU t.eClSLAilF ET R.EQE"4,fN1 t COPIE

CER!IFIEE CONF9 RMESECTION 171 : Non-Intervention y-Whoever being able so to do by his
own im

risk to himself or to any other person, refrains from preventing the commission of any felony or of a
misdemeanour against the bodily integrity of any person, shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 1 (one) month to 3

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 (three) years or w1tt, fine ,.,r from CFAF 20 00C {twenty thou<-::i ,., CF-AF 1 000 00C ione mllho 1 •
., ooth such 1mr •sc-"'Tlen· .:i, d'

SECTION 172: Refusal to Clear

Whoever, being able so to do without 1ncnm1nating himself his spouse, or any ascendant or
descendant, refrains from communicating, to the judicial or police authorities, evidence of the
innocence of any person in custody awaiting trial for felony or misdemeanour, or, notwithstanding that
the judgment may not be final , convicted of felony or misdemeanour, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty
thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 173: Defaulting Witness

(1) Any person regularly summoned as a witness in any proceeding who without just cause fails to
appear or declines to take oath or to affirm, or to give evidence, shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 6 (six) days to 3 (three) months and with fine of from CFAF 1 000 (one thousand) to CFAF
50 000 (fifty thousand).

(2) Whoever, having publicly referred to a felony or misdemeanour and publicly proclaimed his
knowledge of the offender or of his accessories, refuses to answer or evades the questions on such
point of the judicial or legal officer having jurisdiction, shall be punished with imprisonment for from
6 (six) days to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 400 000
(four hundred thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 174: Defaulting Expert

Any person whose assistance has been regularly required as expert, medical practitioner or interpreter
by any judicial or legal authority and who without just cause declines to furnish it shall be punished
with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

SECTION 175: Defaulting Juror or Assessor

Any person summoned as juror or assessor who without just cause fails to appear or to take oath or to
affirm as required by law or withdraws before the termination of his duties, shall be punished with
imprisonment for 6 (six) days to 3 (three) months and with fine of from CFAFS 000 · to CFAF 50 000
(fifty thousand). ,i:;.:.,~caoElA~~;!uauE

l 'Ci <i/JllAI Gte · =,.~ n~• " a · <tl).l i'-El ll~.., ~ • ·, r~EHcv,., :~ 1£.',.,."c'O;lt CEP.TIFIEt CONF

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 SECTION 176. False Excuse

Whoever falsely excuses himself under any of the last three foregoing Sections, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) months.

F - DISOBEDIENCE TO JUDICIAL ORDERS

SECTION 177: Banned Residence

Whoever appears in any place from which he has been banned, or removes from any place to which he
has been restricted, under Section 42 of this Code, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1
(one) month to 1 (one) year.

SECTION 178: Other Penalties and Measures

Whoever:

a) follows an occupation which has been forbidden him under Section 36 of this Code; or

b) reopens any premises closed under Section 34 of this Code; or

c) infringes any forfeiture or obligation not covered by the last foregoing Section which has been
imposed upon him under Sections 31 , 41 or 42

'shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months and with fine of
from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

SECTION 179: Custody of Minor

(1) Whoever fails to return a minor to the person to whom his custody has been granted by order,
whether permanent or temporary, of a Court, shall be punished with imprisonment for from one 1
(one)month to (1) one year and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one
million).

(2) Where the offender has been deprived of parental power, the imprisonment may extend to 3 (three)
years.

?t;.:;.;G., .:CD: lA R1PU!Li0Uf -- t :':l!i>JtV.i GE>-.9~

• t,1:· ..;. • . r " !;i( l i~.iLAii:

RM il .._:,:• ~ 1f'I E

· "coP,EcERllflEE coN
:
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 SECTION 180: Maintenance

(1) Whoever lets pass two months without paying in full any maintenance which he has been ordered
by a Court to pay to his spouse, ascendant or descendant, shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 400
000 (four hundred thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Any such default shall be presumed to have been intentional, save otherwise proven. However, any
inability to pay arising from drunkenness or other habitual misconduct shall under no circumstances
serve as a defence for the debtor.

SECTION 180 -1 : Survivor's Pension

Whoever deprives a surviving spouse or orphans from benefitting from the survivor's pension to which
they are entitled shall be punished as provided for in Section 180 (1) above.

SECTION 181 : Willful Insolvency

Whoever after the decision of any Court, final or otherwise, ordering payment of a sum of money,
contrives to be insolvent shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

SECTION 181 -1 : Refusal to enforce a court judgment that has become final

(1) Whoever refuses to enforce a court judgment that has become final shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

(2) Whoever obstructs the enforcement of a court judgment that has become final without referring to
the judge in charge of enforcing court judgments shall be punished as provided for in Subsection (1)
above.

Where the offender is a public servant as defined by Section 131 of this Code, criminal prosecution
shall not bar disciplinary proceedings.

(3) Where the offender is a corporate body, as defined in Section 74-1 of this Code, the penalty shall
be a fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand} to CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million).

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 SECTION 182 Re-entry on lmmoveahle Property

Whoever within 3 (three) months of execution of or submission to an order against him for possession
of any immoveable property retakes possession from the party to whom 1t has been awarded by the
Court shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months.

G - OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SERVICE

SECTION 183: Refusal of Tax

(1) Whoever by any means organizes a collective refusal to pay any tax shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two
hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

(2) Whoever instigates the public to refuse or to delay the payment of any tax shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty
thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 184: Misappropriation of Public Property

(1) Whoever, by whatever means, fraudulently takes or keeps any property, movables or immovables
belonging to, destined or entrusted to the State, cooperative, council or public establishment under the
supervision of the State or in which the State directly or indirectly holds the majority of the shares
shall be punished:

a) where the value of the property exceeds CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand) francs with
imprisonment for life;

b) where the value of the property is above CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) but below or equal
to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred) thousand, with imprisonment of from 15 (fifteen) to 20 (twenty)
years;

c) where the value of the property is less than or equal to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) with
imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty) to CFAF
500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) The penalties provided in subsection 1 above may not be reduced by mitigating circumstances
respectively below 10 (t~e~n!l,_;5Ll!fi!YvefiljoQL.jLJl:WQ,)-¥f~5i and a suspended sentence may
not be granted.

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 (3) Where Section 87(2) of this Code Is applicable tne rrnnImum punishment mav ne five) years. 2
(tw01 years and " ne) year and execution may not be suspended except In case of diminisheo
responsibility of infancy.

(4) Confiscation under Section 35 of this Code shall be ordered in every case and the forfeitures
described in Section 30 shall be imposed for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

(5) Publication of the judgment shall be ordered.

(6) This Section shall not apply to misappropriation and receiving of military property covered by the
military justice codes.

SECTION 185: Disturbance

Whoever disturbs the operation of any public service to which he does not belong shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 6 (six) days to 1 (one) month or with fine of from CFAF 1 000 (one
thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand).

SECTION 186: Resistance to Works

Whoever by assault or threat resists the carrying out of any works lawfully ordered or authorized by
public authority, or who destroys, conceals or removes any boundary mark thereto appertaining, shall
be punished with imprisonment for from 3 {three) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from
CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand).

SECTION 187: Damage to public or protected property

Whoever destroys or defaces any monument, statue or other property dedicated to public use or
adornment and erected by public authority or by leave of the said authority, or any protected
immovable or movable object or natural feature or site, shall be punished with imprisonment for from
1 (one) month to 2 (two) years and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF120 000
(one hundred and twenty thousand:.:..) _____ ___ _

SECTION 187-1 : Offences relating to Nation Heritage

1) Whoever:

?R:i1:><NCE DE lA REPU9UOUE

s!l~!\~~ ~Lt.nlft1™m COPIE CERl lr!EE CONFO

- unlawfully exploits or exports the natural and cultural property of the State and carries out any other
activity that devalues it;

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 refuse~ to mciude '" the inventory ,..,, to recorc' mr" able;; ,m,~1ovc1bles oeionging J the State
regIona1 and local auttiorit,es any natural person or corporate body and, that from a historical artistic.
philosophical, scientific technical or touristic perspective. has value that makes it worthy of
preservation ,

- refuses to classify or declassifies a cultural and natural property belonging to the State;

- disposes of the classified property either gratuitously or for profit;

- posts notices or installs advertisement equipment on classified monument;

- exports any classified or to-be classified property, save with a special temporary exportation

authorization issued by the competent authority,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from
CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 3 000 000 {three million).

2) Whoever, without the authorization of the competent authority:

- destroys, depreciates, transforms or excavates, disposes of or pollutes any cultural property;

- displaces or transfers ownership of a to-be classified property and carries out any work other than
routine maintenance or ordinary exploitation;

- destroys or carries out restoration or conversion works on classified property;

- erects buildings or creates easements on classified property;

- carries out archaeological excavations and explorations of classified or to-be classified sites;

- exports non-classified property in particular ant que ?REiOENCEDElAREPuauoue , , t

SECAET~AT G~ERAl

shall be punished with the penalties provided for in Sut)seetibW¢CE!bl!5~ vlEMc'...,, "• COPIE
CErTIRcE CONFO 1'

SECTION 188: - Removal and Destruction of Publi~ R~~~====~ = ~ :=J

(1) Whoever abstracts, removes or destroys any document in the custody of any public authority shall
be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF 10 000
(ten thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand).

(2) Whoever destroys or damages any register, record or other original document of any public
authority shall be punished with imprisonment for
:
 \ 70
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 from 5 (frve) to 10 (ten} years and with fine of from CFAF 25 000 (twenty five thousand) o CFAF 200
000 (two hundred thousand

SECTION 188-1 : Removal and Misappropriation of Public or Private Records

Whoever removes or misappropriates public or private records to which he has access by virtue of his
duties shall be punished as provided for in Subsection 188 (2) above.

SECTION 188-2: Unlawful Destruction, Transfer and Exportation of Public or Private Records

Whoever unlawfully destroys, transfers or exports public or private records shall be punished as
provided for in Subsection 188 (2) above.

SECTION 189:. Copies of Government Papers

Whoever takes, without authority or permission, a copy document the property of the Government
shall be punished imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year.

of any with

SECTION 190 : Misappropriation of Attached Property

Whoever misappropriates, destroys or damages any attached or garnished property shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty
thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 191: Breach of Seals

Whoever breaks any seal lawfully affixed shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six)
months to (2) two years and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five
hundred thousand).

SECTION 192: Communication with Persons in Custody

Whoever contrary to the rules governing the custody of any person lawfully detained facilitates his
relations with any outside party, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2
(two) years.

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 SECTION 193: Escape

11) Whoever escapes irom lawfu custody or who be,ng permitted to work out of the pnson leaves his
place of work without permission shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) yer to 3
(three) years

(2) Whoever rescues any person from lawful custody shall be punished in like manner.

(3) For escape or rescue effected by force to the person or to property the punishment shall be
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years; and for escape or rescue with arms the punishment
shall be imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

(4) Where the person in custody is charged with felony or has been sentenced to loss of liberty for
more than 10 (ten) years the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

SECTION 194: Accessory after the Fact by Shelter

(1) An accessory after the fact to felony or misdemeanour by shelter of the offender, whether
convicted or not, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) months to 2 (two) years.

(2) Where the principal offence is punishable with death, the accessory shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 10 (ten) years.

(3) No defence absolving from responsibility a principal not yet acquitted shall be available to the
accessory.

SECTION 195: Subscription for Fine

Whoever publicly invites subscriptions for the purpose of Indemnifying any person against any
pecuniary sentence passed on him by a criminal court shall be punished with imprisonment for from
15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months or with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 10
000 000 (ten million), or with both such impriso,,,.,.,_,._,,.,,dffl,_. -

EN

- --~ PRfl1DtNCE oe LA REPU8UOUE

SECmAAIAIG!"tltRAL SE?.V!Cc ;u OCIO{~ lfGISLATf EUEGI

COPIECERTIFIEE CONSECTION 196: Defacement of Posters

Whoever removes, obliterates or defaces any notice posted un er Section 33 of this Code shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months or with fine of from CFAF 5
:
 000 (five

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:
 thousand) to ci=AF 50 000 1fifty thousand) or with both such ;mprts' · rnent and fine

SECTION 197: Revenge on Witness

Whoever

a) commits a contempt of a witness by reason of the evidence which he has given, unless, in the case
of defamation, he proves the truth of the defamatory matter; or

b) causes any loss to a witness by reason of the evidence which he has given.shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 10 (ten) days to (1 ) one year, or with fine of from 10 000 (ten thousand) to
CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 198: Forbidden Publications

(1) Whoever publishes:

- any record of any proceeding of a Court or of the Legal Department in respect of felony or
misdemeanour before it has been read out in open Court; or

- any account of proceedings in camera or in any juvenile court; or

- any conviction of a minor mentioning any particular allowing of his identification; or

- any information on the proceedings of parliamentary inquiry committees before their report has been
laid on the table of the House, except a communique issued by the bureau of the said committees; or:

- any information on the proceedings of the Higher Judicial Council except a communique issued by
the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council,

shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand).

(2) Whoever publishes any deliberation in chambers by any Court shall be punished with fine of from
CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 3 000 000 (three million).

(3) In case of publication by the press the penalties shall be doubled.

?~",O:NCE OE lA REPUBUOUE SC:Cllfi.A.Rt,d CENERAl

7 ~ (! \'.Cf :>U f1C.hlE.it LEGISV.tf. ET UC\

COPIE C: RllFIEE CONF ME

:
:
 (4) Whoever 1n a Courtroo!T' ry Junng Court proceedings w•thout the authorization of the oresid1ng
judge

a) makes any sound recording, or

b) shoots any image shall be punished as provided for in Subsection (21 above.

SECTION 199: Innkeeper's Register

Any keeper of an inn or common boarding house, who, contrary to any regulation, does not register, or
registers under a false name, any person staying in the said inn or boarding house shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 6 (six) days to 3 (three months), and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten
thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

SECTION 200: Illicit Burial

Whoever disposes of a human corpse otherwise than as prescribed by law or regulation shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) days to 3 (three) months and with fine of from CFAF 2
000 (two thousand) to CFAF 15 000 (fifteen thousand).

CHAPTERV OFFENCES AGAINST STATE GUARANTEES

A - FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING

SECTION 201 : Great Seal

(1) Whoever forges the Great Seal or makes use of such forged Seal shall be punished with
imprisonment for life.

(2) Whoever makes use of the Great Seal improperly procured shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

(3) Whoever acts in contravention of the regulations in force on ordering, manufacturing, and affixing
of the Great Seal, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with fine
of from CFAF 40 000 (forty thousand) to CFAF 4 000 000 (four million).

(4) In case of conviction, the Court shall also order the forfeitures provided for in Section 30 of this
Code for a period of from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.
:
:
 SECTION 201-1: Other Public Seals

t 1J INhoever contravenes the regulations on ordering, manufacturing, keeping and affixing of other
public seals shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and fine of from
CFAF 40 000 (forty thousand) to CFAF 4 000 000 (four million).

(2) In case of conviction, the Court may order the forfeitures provided for in Section 30 of this Code
for a period of from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

SECTION 202: Treasury Security

Whoever forges or alters any security issued by the public treasury under its stamp or mark or makes
use of any such forged or altered security, shall be punished with imprisonment for life.

SECTION 203: Signature, Stamps and Punches

(1) Whoever forges or alters the signature of the President of the Republic, of either Prime Minister or
of any minister, deputy minister or secretary of state, or any Government stamp or any punch for hall-
marking or silver, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

(2) Whoever makes use of any such forged stamp or punch, or of any document or object bearing such
forged or altered signature, stamp or mark shall be punished in like manner.

(3) Whoever makes use of any such stamp or punch, or of any document or object bearing such
signature, stamp or mark where genuine but improperly procured, shall be punished in like manner.

PRS1i>ENCE DELA REPUSLIOUE SECTION 204: Marks and Stationery ~ECil'clAIUAT

CENfP."1.

SU. : : : uF1Ct<1Eir LECISlAllf El if:jtEMEN'i COPIECERllflEE CONFORM

(1 ) Whoever forges or alters:

a) any seal, stamp or mark of a legislative assembly o of a Court or of an administrative office; or

b) the printed stationery or forms of any legislative assembly, Court or administrative office; or

c) any punch or mark designed to be placed in the name of the government on weights or measures, or
on merchandise; or

d) any hammer used for punching government forestry marks; or

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 e) any postage stamp, postmark or reply coupon issued by the postal administratior or any revenue
stamp or impressed stam~ shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and
with fine of from CFAF 40 000 {forty thousand) to CFAF 4 000 000 {four million}.

(2) Whoever distributes, sells or makes use of such forged or altered seal, stamp, punch, mark, post-
mark, paper or coupon, shall be punished in like manner.

(3) Whoever distributes, sells or makes use of any such thing where genuine but improperly obtained,
shall be punished in like manner.

SECTION 205: Public Act, Document or Record

(1} Whoever forges or alters, whether in its substance or in its date, signatures or countersignatures,
any act of the legislature, of the executive (including a passport) or of the judiciary, or any document
or record drawn up by a person having exclusive authority so to do, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty} years.

(2) Whoever makes use of any such document or record so forged or altered shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 40 00 (forty thousand) to
CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

SECTION 206: Licences and Similar Documents

Whoever: - forges or alters an identity card, driving licence, game licence,

elector's card, family booklet or military booklet: or

- procures the issue for himself or for another of any such document under a wrong name; or

- makes use of any such document, whether forged, altered or issued in a wrong name; or

- makes dishonest use of any genuine document of such nature belonging to another ,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years.

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 SECTION 207: Official Certificates

,) VVhoever torges or alters any off1c1al certificate sr a, ut:: ..,unished with imprisonment for from 6
(six) months to 3 (three) years

(2) Whoever makes use of any such certificate shall be punished 1n like manner.

SECTION 208: Postage and Revenue Stamps

Whoever makes use of any postage or revenue stamp already used, or surcharges any postage or
revenue stamp, or makes unauthorized use of any postal privilege, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 10 {ten) days to 1 (one) year, and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 {five
thousand) to CFAF 50 000 {fifty thousand}.

SECTION 209: Postal Documents

(1) Whoever forges or alters

a) any postal identity card, whether national or foreign, or any subscription card in respect of poste
restante; or

b) any label, stamp, postmark or reply-coupon issued by a foreign postal administration,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 {ten) days to 6 (six) months and with fine of from
CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 50 000 {fifty thousand).

(2) Whoever sells, offers for sale or makes use of any such matter shall be punished in like manner.

SECTION 210 : Colourable Resemblance

Whoever manufactures, sells, distributes or makes use of any object or printed matter bearing to any
object or printed matter described in Sections 201 to 209 above, a resemblance liable to facilitate their
acceptance in place of the object or matter imitated, or to mislead the public, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 10 {ten) days to 6 (six) months, and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty
thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand).

I.A R~PU&l:OU

...,

· ~:..:~.~::JC ::-:1.!.,>.t~ l CfN!,PAl

::J. :.i .. •1H.J,lAlt;(I JC c~~!~Cc~·: ::1ee~

77
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 SECTION 21 1: Counterfeit Note and Coin

(1) Whoever

a) counterfeits or alters any currency note or any gold or silver coin being legal tender In the

Republic; or

b) imports into the Republic any such counterfeit or altered note or coin; or

c) utters any such counterfeit note or coin

shall be punished with imprisonment for life.

(2) In the case of any other currency note or coin national or foreign, and whether or not legal tender,
the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

(3) Where the alteration consists in the mere colouring of coin, whether or not legal tender in the
Republic or abroad, the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years.

(4) Where the coin or note has been received in ignorance of the fact that it was counterfeit or altered,
and uttered after knowledge of the same, the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 3 (three)
months to 3 (three) years and fine of 3 (three) times the face value of the said coin or note.

SECTION 212: Counterfeiting Equipment

Whoever without authority manufactures or possesses any instrument, apparatus, machine or material
designed for the forgery of the Great Seal, any treasury security, or any punch, stamp or mark, or for
the counterfeiting of note or coin, whether national or foreign, shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 1 000
000 (one million).

SECTION 213: Improper Possession

Whoever without authority possesses anything or document described in section 201 to 211 inclusive
of this Code shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

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 r~:J,"c~Cf Of LA RtPUBtlQIJE ~Eca!1~ATGEN.ERA!.

Si l? 1::.:_ : ... i:~h..ti lE~ISlA1f ET lf:G

SECTION 214: Accessory Penalties

(1) On conv1ctIor for any mIsoemeanour defined ,n the foregoing thirteen sections the Court may
impose the forfeitures described m section 30 of this Code.

(2) On any convIctIon under the said sections confiscation under section 35 shall be ordered

8- USURPATION

SECTION 215: Striking Money

Whoever without authority:

a) strikes coin of whatever form or denomination, or prints any note payable to bearer, or imports, or
utters such coin or note; or

b) manufactures or possesses any machine, apparatus, instrument or material capable of use for the
striking or printing of any note or coin liable to be mistaken for lawful money •

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 50
000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 150 000 (one hundred and fifty thousand).

SECTION 216: Usurpation of Office

(1) Whoever assumes any public office, whether civil or military, to which he is not appointed, or
performs any act belonging to any such office, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six)
months to 5 (five) years.

(2) In the case of a public servant continuing to act in an office after official notice of his cessation
from the said office, whether temporary or final , the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 3
(three) months to 2 (two) years.

(3) On conviction the Court may also impose the forfeitures described by section 30 of this Code.

(4) Where the offender takes advantage of his usurpation to commit any offence defined by Chapter Ill
of this Part, he shall be punished as if he held the office usurped.

COPIE CERTIFIEE CON79

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 SECTION 217: Irregular Solemnisation of Marriage

Any minister of relig ion who

a) not being authorised to perform a civil marriage, solemnises a religious ceremony of marriage
without having seen a certificate of marriage already performed by a registrar of births. marriages and
deaths; or

b) being authorised to perform a civil marriage,

- solemnises only a religious ceremony of marriage; or

- performs a civil marriage without having seen a certificate of no impediment from the said registrar ,
shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 30 000 (thirty thousand), and
on subsequent conviction within the meaning of section 88 of this Code, with imprisonment for from 1
(one) to 5 (five) years.

SECTION 218: Usurpation of Uniform or Decoration

Whoever wears in public any uniform or decoration to which he is not entitled, or which bears a
colourable resemblance to the same, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to
2 (two) years or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 219: Usurpation of Qualification

Whoever without being entitled thereto makes use of a qualification belonging to a profession legally
regulated, or of an official degree, certificate of education or diploma, or of a title governed by public
regulation, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years or with
fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million), or with both
such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 219 -1: Usurpation of Designation

Whoever, unauthorized by the laws and regulations applicable, uses the designations cooperative
society, union of cooperative societies, federation of cooperative societies, or confederation of
cooperative societies alongside any qualifier, as well as any other designation referring to any of the
groups mentioned in this Section, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1
(one) year or with fine of from CFAF100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one
million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

80

0 g;.;p,l'.!6DELAREPUauoue _ ~=~ltf-'IIIAf 0 (--i!.PAL

:
 !;~, :;:: ~ s 11';:A"'• l5e1,lAt1, rr t!O C(;il'IEC:! ~l lFIEE CONl~MI;/

-
:
:
 SECTION 220: Title of Honour

Whoever makes public use of any title of honour to which he is not entitled shall be punished with fine
of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million)

SECTION 221 : Common Provisions

(1) The three last foregoing sections shall be equally applicable to any foreign uniform, decoration,
title or qualification.

(2) The said sections shall not apply to the actors at a public entertainment nor to children's games.

(3) On conviction under any one of the said sections the Court shall order the marginal annotation of
the said judgment on any notarial deed or register of births, marriages and deaths in which the title has
been assumed, and may also order publication of its judgment.

C- GUARANTEES TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

SECTION 222: Credit of the State

(1) Whoever by any means, with intent to injure the credit of the State:

a) spreads publicly any false or misleading rumour likely to undermine confidence in the stability of
the currency or in the value of any public funds or of the funds of any cooperative, or of any authority
or corporation either public or subject to the administrative control of the State, or in which the State
holds directly or indirectly the majority of the shares; or b) encourages the public to withdraw funds
from any public deposit or from any establishment compelled by law to pay into a public deposit, or to
sell any Government loan or other treasury paper, or discourages the public from purchase of or
subscription to the same;

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from
CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

(2) On conviction under this sect ion the Court shall order publication of the judgment.

81
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:
 IEO<:TaR!AI CENEAAL s~·: ::::u ;,c.n,u LfGWAiif ft xe::tEM

CO?'; Co?.HFIEE CONFOR

SECTION 223: Legal Tender

Whoever refuses a, note or com being IegaI tender in ,he .-<epubhc and to the extent that 1t is legal
tender, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) days to 3 (three) months, or with fine of
from CFAF 1 000 (one thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand), or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 224: National Development

Whoever with intent to injure the national development transfers abroad any specialized staff or
delivers abroad any industrial or commercial secret, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6
(six) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 5
000 000 (five million).

SECTION 225: Loans and Subsidies

Whoever puts to any use other than that for which it was granted a loan or subsidy from the Federal or
Federated State, from a co-operative, or from an authority or corporation described by Section 184 of
this Code, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of
from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 226: Standard Regulations

Whoever infringes any regulation prescribing standards for any produce to be exported, shall be
punished with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 4 000 000 (four million), and with
confiscation of the goods in question.

PART II FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS AGAINST THE GENERAL INTEREST

CHAPTER I n : SIOcNCE OEl,\ REPUSUOUEPUBLIC SAFETY

SECTION 227: Arson and Destruction

(1 )Whoever sets fire, directly or indirectly, and notw1 be the owner:

a) to any place used for another's dwelling ; or

b) to any land, sea or air vehicle in which are one or more persons ; or

82
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 c) to any working mine or its appurtenances

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 5
000 (five thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

(2) Destruction of such property shall be punished in like manner as arson.

SECTION 228: Dangerous activities

(1) Whoever fails properly to provide against risk of bodily harm to any person from his dangerous
activities shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) days to 6 (six) months.

(2) Whoever rashly and in manner liable to cause harm to any person:

a) makes use of fire, or of any inflammable or explosive matter, or of electricity, or of any machinery
or,

b) demolishes in whole or in part any construction or any uninhabited building, notwithstanding that
he may be the owner; or

c) furnishes medical or surgical treatment, or furnishes or administers any drug or other substance or,

d) leads, drives, rides, stops or leaves any animal or vehicle on the public highway.shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years, or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five
thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(3) Whoever drives any vehicle when drunk or under the influence of drugs shall be punished in like
manner.

(4) Upon conviction under subsection (2) (d) in respect of a vehicle, or under subsection (3), the Court
may add disqualification from holding a driving licence for up to 2 (two) years.

SECTION 229: Explosive Substances

Whoever infringes any regulation governing the manufacture, storage, transport, import or export of,
or trade in explosive substances, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1
(one) year, or with fine of from CFAF 2 000 (two thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand),
or with both such imprisonment and fin ?~:s1:>ENCEoe lA REPuauaue

l>'P'l IECRc!ARIAI CE!<EP.Al

:«1,:, ;~ i ,O;!El lEG.SLArf ET Ri~ COPIE CERTIREE C~ R E

83 - ~
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 SECTION 229-1: Toxic waste

(1) Whoever unaut11onzeo joes not, with ImmeaIate aftect discard of dangerous or toxic waste
generated by its company shall be punished with imprisonment of from 5 (five) 10 10 (ten) years and a
fine of from CFAF 5 000 000 (five million) to CFAF 500 000 000 (five hundred million)

(2) The provisions of Sections 54 and 90 of this Code relating to suspended sentence and mitigation
shall not apply.

(3) The court seized shall order the person found guilty of introducing, producing, storing, holding,
transporting, causing to transit, or releasing dangerous or toxic waste to dispose of it with immediate
effect and restore the site.In addition, the court may order the closure of the company.

SECTION 230: Public Highway

(1) Whoever without lawful permission obstructs the use of any public highway or waterway, or
renders passage less convenient, whether by damaging the surface of the highway or diverting the
course of the waterway, or by any erection, or by excessive use, or by use of his own adjacent land,
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 2 (two) years.

(2) Whoever, being bound to repair any highway or any work connected with it, refrains f rom

so doing, shall be punished in like manner.

SECTION 231 : Unlawful Public Meetings and P~~sieg:=:z::=:=:=~

(1) Whoever:

a) takes part in the organization of any public meeting which has not been the subject of a prior
declaration ;

b) makes a declaration that is intended to mislead authorities on the conditions and purpose of the
meeting ;

c) convenes a procession in any manner whatsoever before filling the declaration or after it has been
legally prohibited ;

d) makes an incomplete or false declaration in order to conceal the conditions of the planned
procession ; shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months and with

84
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 fine of from CFAF 5 00C' five thousand) '" CFAF 100 000 (one ~undred thousand)

(2) Whoever organizes any public procession without the required declaration or after the notification
of legal prohibition shall be punished with the penalties provided for in Subsection 1 above.

SECTION 231 -1 : Political Procession in a Public Establishment and in Schools

Whoever organizes a political procession in any public establishment, school or university shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) days to 4 (four) months or with fine of from CFAF 25
000 (twenty-five thousand) to CFAF 250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 232: Riot

(1) A riot shall mean an assembly on the public highway of 5 (five) or more persons in manner liable
to disturb the public peace.

(2) Whoever takes part in a riot and does not withdraw the first cal l of the proper authority shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months.

(3) The penalty shall be doubled for any person who continues in the riot until it be dispersed by force.

SECTION 233: Armed Riot

(1) Whoever takes part in a riot which is armed within the meaning of sections 115 (3) and 117 of this
Code, and himself bears any weapon or does not withdraw on the first call of the proper authority,
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years.

(2) The punishment shall be imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years for any person who
continues in the riot until it be dispersed by force.

(3) The punishment shall be imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years for any person who takes
part in the riot at the moment when any such weapon is used.

(4) All punishment under this section shall be doubled where the riot takes place at night.

i·~: i .) : NCCOE LA R&UBUOUE ~EC.2:iAiflAI CE."ifRAl

i E' / .~= • \J ·.c11.•E.~LeCISlAR1 Er aro~ ,r~ , ~ el': C: ,TIFIEECON

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 SECTION 234: Forfeitures

Upon convIctIon under section 233 above the CoLJrt may add the forfeitures described by section 30
of this Code.

SECTION 235: Seditions Cries

Whoever in any place open to the public utters any seditious cry or song shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 8 (eight) days to 1 (one) month, or with fine of from CFAF 2 000 (two
thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 236: Depredation by Band

(1) Whoever as a member of an assembly or band, and by open force, plunders or damages any
moveable or immoveable property, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20
(twenty) years.

(2) For such felony committed in a state of emergency or siege the punishment shall be imprisonment
for life.

(3) For such felony committed in time ~o!_f ~warJtnLJ!UD~~~-619alj@!:_ he be death. r?.<;,Dtr!Ct
OE IA REPUBUOUE

~£C2:ft/t.R1AT G&I~ mv.ca:u f r.11,ei Lc{;~!Allf El itGlEME

SECTION 237: Possession and Carriage o ArrnsP1E c1:~1I,IEE CONF-0•

(1) Whoever without such permissioJ_~ ::;;:iav=tiii=iit~~n~ manufactures, exports, imports, keeps,
transfers or sells any firearm or ammunition shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three)
months to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 300 000 (three
hundred thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The punishment shall be doubled for carriage of any such arm outside the offender's residence.

(3) Whoever delivers any such arm or ammunition to any person without ascertaining that he is
licensed to keep it shall be punished as his accessory.

(4) Confiscation under section 35 of this Code shall be ordered in every case; and on any subsequent
conviction within the meaning of section 88 the Court may impose the forfeitures described by section
30 and order the closure of the establishment to whatever other use it may be put.

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 SECTION 238: Dangerous Carriage of Arms

Whoever whether l1censea Jr not to bear arl"ls shall bear any wec1por within the meaning of section
117 of this Code in a place open to the public in manner liable to disturb the public peace or to alarm
any person. shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 2 (two) years or with
fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 300 000 (three hundred thousand). or with both
such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 239: Disturbance of Quiet Enjoyment

Whoever in manner liable to disturb the public peace enters upon land quietly enjoyed by another to
whomsoever belonging, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one)
year.

SECTION 240: False News

(1) Whoever publishes or propagates by any means whatever any news without being able to prove
either its truth or that he had good reason to believe it to be true, shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with a fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 10
000 000 (ten million).

(2) The penalty shall be doubled for anonymous publication or propagation.

SECTION 241 : Contempt of Race or Religion

(1) Whoever commits a contempt, within the meaning of section 152 of this Code, of the race or
religion of a number of citizens or residents shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) days
to 6 (six) months and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand).

(2) Where the offence is committed by means of the press or wireless the fine may extend to CFAF 20
000 000 (twenty million).

(3) Where the offence is committed with intent to arouse hatred or contempt between citizens, the
penaltiei pro'lliaedce~ ~ftuofr!lrego ng

t. h II b d bl d S!C,,,ARIA!CENElW.SUbsec ions S a e OU e .
:,-.11CEO,JAC...fHEG.S1,AnFfHEGL~N7A,~[ COPIE CER11AEE CONFORME

SECTION 242: Discrimination

Whoever excludes another from any place open to the public or from any employment, by reason of
his race, religion, sex or health status. where

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 such status does not endanger anyone shall be punished with 1mprisonrnen1 for from 1 (one) month to
2 (two) years and with fine of from CF AF !> 000 five tnousand} to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand).

SECTION 243: Public Drunkenness

(1} Whoever.

a) commits the offence of public drunkenness within 12 (twelve) months of a previous conviction,

b) Shall be licensed to sell alcoholic beverages and delivers any such beverage on his premises to any
person manifestly drunk,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) month and with a fine of
from CFAF 2 000 (two thousand) to CFAF 35 000 (thirty-five thousand.

(2) Where the offender is so licensed the Court may order closure of his establishment for up to 2
(two) years, and order publication of the judgment.

SECTION 244: Subsequent Convictions

(1) Section 88. (1) (b) of this Code shall apply to any subsequent conviction under the last foregoing
section.

(2) The Court may add the forfeitures described by section 30 (1) and (2) of this Code.

(3) Where the offender is so licensed the Court may order closure of his establishment for up to 4
(four) years, and order publication of its judgment.

SECTION 245: Begging

Whoever, having means of subsistence, or being able to earn such by working, begs in any place for
alms shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years and with fine of
from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

SECTION 246: Aggravated Begging

Whoever, whether or not able-bodied and having or not means of

a) with abuse, threats, or assault ;

88

subsistence, begs for alms in any of the following manners: '<:.,:EN.::E De LAREf'UBllOUE
:
 l(CRElARIAl CEIi~ : :.,.. , ,•: ~~:.. i :-,.;fl LEGiSl.Ailf El S!fGt

CO?IECERTIFIEE CONF
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 b I after entering any dwelling or enclosure thereto appurtenant without th" ')CCupant's permission
~Igns wounds or a disab1111y in oroer to attract the generosity or pla~

over the intelligence of a third party , d) In company, save husband and wife, or father and mother
with their

young children, or a blind man and his guide,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 6 (six) years and with fine of from
CFAF 1 000 (one thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 247: Vagrancy

(1) Whoever is found in a public place being of no fixed abode and with no means of support shall be
guilty of vagrancy and shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years.

(2) The punishment prescribed above shall be doubled:

a) Where the vagrant is found in possession of any weapon or any instrument with which an offence
may be committed;

b) Where the vagrant has committed (or attempted to commit) any act of violence against an
individual or individuals.

(3) In addition, the measures prescribed under section 42 (1 ), (2) and (3) shall be pronounced.

SECTION 248: Dangerous Preparations

(1) Whoever with intent to commit any felony or misdemeanour carries any instrument fit for the
forcing of entry to any immovable property shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten)
days to 1 (one) year.

(2)The intent shall be presumed ere committed at night.

SECTION 249: Gaming and Lotteries

(1) Whoever:

where the facts char e

a) operates a casino, public lottery or betting establishment without a concession agreement ;

b) organizes a commercial lottery or operates online gaming without authorization ;

c) uses the operating licence for a casino, public lottery or betting establishment belonging to another ;
:
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 d) uses the authorization to organize commercial lottery or operate online gaming belonging to another
shall be punished with ·mprisonment for from 6 (s1xJ months to 2 (two) years or fine of from CFAF 5
000 000 (five million) to CFAF 25 000 000 (twenty-five million) or both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The penalties provided for in Subsection (1) above shall be applied to any operator of a
commercial lottery who does not comply with the gaming rules submitted prior to obtaining the
authorization.

SECTION 249-1: Failure to comply with the standards and norms of safety, comfort and
hygiene specific to casinos

Whoever fails to comply with the standards and norms of safety, comfort and hygiene specific to
casinos shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 4 (four) years, or fine of from CFAF
5 000 000 (five million) to CFAF10 000 000 (ten million) or both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 249-2: Violation of the terms of the specifications attached to a concession agreement

Whoever violates any of the terms of the specifications attached to a concession agreement shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years or fine of from CFAF 10 000 000 (ten
million) to CFAF 50 000 000 (fifty million) or both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 249-3: Use of unlicensed equipment for casino or online games

Whoever uses unlicensed equipment to operate a casino or online games shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) years or fine of from CFAF 2 500 000 {two million five
hundred thousand) to CFAF 10 000 000 {ten million) or both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 249-4: Money laundering through gaming and lotteries

Whoever engages in money laundering through the operation of a casino, public or commercial
lottery, betting or online games, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten)
years or fine of from CFAF 50 000 000 (fifty million) to CFAF 100 000 00 (one hundred million) or
both such imprisonment and fine.

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 SECTION 249-5: Resistance In gaming and lotteries

Whoever uses violence or assault to prevent sworn officers from gaining access to the premises to be
inspected shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 4 (four) years or fine of
from CFAF 2 500 000 (two million five hundred thousand) to CFAF 5 000 000 (five million) or with
both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 249-6: Advertising in gaming and lotteries

Whoever, being a licensed operator of money games and games of chance transmits or broadcasts a
commercial advertisement by any means whatsoever targeting minors, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) years or fine of from CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million) to
CFA 20 000 000 (twenty million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 249-7: Forbidden Access in gaming and lotteries

(1) Whoever:

a) fails to take measures to block access of minors to a casino ;

b) allows access to casinos for the following:

- military and law and order personnel in uniform ;

- persons who are in a drunken state or likely to cause scandals or incidents ;

- persons to whom access has been prohibited by the minister in charge of gaming, shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) years or fine of from CFAF 5 000 000 (five million)
to CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The penalties provided for in Sub-section (1) above shall be applicable to the operator of online
gaming and betting who fails to take the following measures to block access of minors to such gaming
and betting:

a) post on the gaming site's home page and registration page, in visible manner, a message explicitly
prohibiting access of minors to the. . gaming service;

b) require the player on his honour, to state his age and enter his personal identity information;

c) require the player to use online payment methods;

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 d) have his gaming webs1t1> submitted to parental ~ontrol software to block acr.ess of minors

SECTION 249-8; Compromise

(1 )The offences provided for under Sections 249 to 249-3 may be subject to compromise between the
gaming regulatory entity and the defaulter. However, compromise shall be possible only in the event
of the admission of the offence after it has been established.

(2)The amount of the compromise referred to in Subsection (1) above, shall not be less than the
minimum amount of the fine provided for.

(3) The payment of the total amount of the compromise provided for in Subsection (2) above shall
extinguish court action.

SECTION 249-9: Accessory Penalties

In the cases provided for in Sections 249, 249-1, 249-2, 249-3, 249-4, 249-5, 249-6 and 249-7 above,
the court may:

(a) upon conviction add the forfeitures described by Section 30 of this Code, and order closure of the
offender's establishment, notwithstanding that it may also be put to another use.

(b) in addition to confiscation under Section 35 of this Code, order confiscation of all furniture and
furnishings adapted or decorated to attract customers, and all funds and movable or immovable
property, set aside as prizes for the winners.

SECTION 250: Pawnshops

Whoever :

a) without such licence as may be lawfully required, keeps any pawnshop or business of lending on a
floating charge; or

b) having such license fails to keep such registers as may be prescribed: shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 3 (three) months and with fine of from CFAF 25 000
(twenty-five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

~,;.• ,., ..: D! LA ,Ci'U!l!OUE :t-;:~~J.2'.\1C£M~,A\

~t,t.,: t ;.- . ,,,. ,i.Ht.CJLAIIHH!Qt COP1i: Ct:~lli'IEE CONFy

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 SECTION 251 : Practice of Witchcraft

Whoever commits any act of witchcraft, magic or d1vmat1on liable to disturb public order or
tranquility, or to harm another in his person, property or substance, whether by the taking of a reward
or otherwise, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 10 (ten) years, and with fine of
from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

CHAPTER Ill PUBLIC ECONOMY

SECTION 252: False Weights and Measures

Any trader or artificer keeping at his place of trade or work any false weight or measure or other
incorrect apparatus used for the weighing or measuring of his wares shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months or with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten
thousand) to CFAF 700 000 (seven hundred thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 253: Cheque without Cover

Whoever:

a) issues a cheque on a bank or pos~ta: ,~:: c: c: o:u:n~t~w: i~th: .9,o~r~w;;,~ the Republic and
without pre-existing, adequate or free cover, or

b) after issue withdraws, whether within or without the Republic all or part of the cover or stops
payment,

shall be punished with the penalties laid down under section 318.

SECTION 254: Auctions

Whoever by force or threat, by gift or promise, or by any trick, disturbs the freedom or interferes with
the genuineness of any auction or tender shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 6
(six) months and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

SECTION 255: Interference with Labour

Whoever by means of force or threat. or by fraudulent trick, causes or prolongs any concerted
stoppage of work with intent thereby to compel an increase or decrease of wages or to affect
injuriously the freedom of labour or of industry, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15
(fifteen) days to

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 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five t'1ousand) to CFAF 7() 000 /seven hundred
thousand) , th botr suer ~ oriso'lment and tine

SECTION 256: Rigging Prices

(1) Whoever by any fraudulent means causes an artificial increase or decrease of the price of goods or
public or private securities, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) months to (2) two
years and with fine of from CFAF 400 000 (four hundred thousand) to CFAF 20 000 000 (twenty
million).

(2) The penalty shall be doubled where the goods in question are foodstuffs or subject to standards
regulations.

(3) On conviction the Court may add the forfeitures described in section 30 (1) and (2) of this Code,
and order publication of its judgment.

SECTION 257: Destruction of Foodstuffs

Whoever with intent thereby to influence the market in foodstuffs whether for human or animal
consumption causes or permits them to perish, rot or disappear from circulation, shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty
thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

CHAPTER IV PUBLIC HEALTH

SECTION 258: Adulteration of Foodstuffs

(1) Whoever either adulterates any foodstuff, whether for human or animal consumption, or beverage
or medicinal substance intended to be sold, or keeps any substance designed or fit only for the purpose
of effective such adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3
(three) years and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand).

(2) This section shall not apply to fresh fruits and vegetables which have fermented or become rotten.

(3) Any such foodstuff, beverage or medication belonging to the offender shall be confiscated; and
where not used by the Government its destruction shall be at the expense of the offender.

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 (4) The Court r,ay order publication of its Judgment und"'' Section 33 of :his Code

SECTION 258-1 : Illegal Sale of medication

Whoever,

- sells any medication without lawful authority ;

- sells any counterfeited, expired or unauthorized medication ;

- keeps for sale, any medication that is falsified, adulterated or harmful to health,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to (3) three years or with fine of from
CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) to CFAF 3 000 000 (three million).

The confiscation provided for in Sections 35 and 45 of this Code shall apply.

SECTION 259: False Medical Certificate

(1) Any physician, surgeon, dresser or nurse, dentist or midwife who for the advantage or
disadvantage of any person falsely certifies or conceals the existence of any disease or disability, or
falsely certifies the performance or result of an inoculation, or gives misleading information on the
origin of a disease, on the duration of a disability, or on the cause of any death, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 2 (two) months to 3 (three) years and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five
thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

(2) Where any such person has been corrupted the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 2 (two)
to 10 (ten) years.

(3) On conviction the Court may impose the forfeitures described by section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 260: Infectious diseases

(1) Whoever by his conduct facilitates the communication of any dangerous infectious disease shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years.

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 (2) In the case of an infection dangerous to the life of anv animal usually intended for humar
consumption the punishmer• shall be imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year

SECTION 261 : Pollution of air and water

Whoever by his operations: a) pollutes any drinkable water liable to be used by another; or

b) so pollutes the atmosphere as to render it harmful to human health,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months, or with fine of from
CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million), or with both such imprisonment and
fine.

SECTION 262: Essential services

(1) Whoever breaks any contract of service or supply in such circumstances that the foreseeable
consequence of such breach is either a grave danger to public health or to the health of patients in
hospital, or grave bodily injury, or grave danger to property of any nature, or the deprivation of a
number of persons of electricity, water, gas or any other source of energy shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 6 (six) months

(2) This section shall not apply to any person who has given notice of 7 (seven) days or more.

CHAPTERV PUBLIC DECENCY

SECTION 263: Public Indecency

Whoever publicly offends against decency shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen)
days to 2 (two) years or with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred
thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

~~:;/DENCEDE LA REPUB SECTION 264: Corruption of Moral !i.<1 • ' - ' -ScCRat.RwCENfll
tlOUf i- . ... ~ r-c,,,,ilE....iJLM At

CC•:'/t: CE.....Tt-;celfa .ll'EVtE NU. f • • r • 0 .'IF() fWhoever

a) publicly utters any immoral song, cry or sp: e: e~;~h~;~o;r:::::::::::::::~ ~:::::;J

b) draws the attention of the public to any occasion of immorality, shall be punished with the penalties
provided for in Section 263 above.

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 SECTION 265: Obscene Publications

Whoever

a) with a view of trade manufactures, keeps, imports transports or exports; or

b) whether or not for gain, and whether or not publicly, exhibits or distributes - any writing, picture or
object liable to corrupt morals,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 2 (two) years and with fine of from
CFAF (ten thousand) to½ (half a million).

(2) On conviction, the Court may order closure for up to one year of the establishment where the
offender manufactures or keeps any such writing, picture or object.

SECTION 266: Other Objectionable Publications

(1) Whoever publishes any account, save the judgment, of any affiliation, divorce or judicial
separation proceeding, or of any prosecution for abortion, shall be punished with fine of from CFAF
20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 6 000 000 (six million).

(2) Whoever without the written permission of the authority responsible for prosecution publishes in
any manner the suicide of a person aged under eighteen years shall be punished with fine of from
CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million); and on subsequent conviction
within the meaning of section 88 of this Code, may also be punished with imprisonment for from 2
(two) months to 2 (two) years.

(3) Whoever infringes section 23 (3) of this Code shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 10 000
(ten thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one mill ion).

(4) Whoever publishes, whether by picture or in any other manner, without the written request of the
officer preparing prosecution, the whole or any part of the circumstances of an offence of violence or
committed against a child or against morals, shall be punished with
fin~e:.__:o~f~f~ro21m!LlC,dF:.B.t:.-LcU..U~- (twenty thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred th
usan.d);:.>Ei'ICEDELAREl'usuoue

IECR1'fARIAl CetlERAl su ·~c:tiu;ie1-1iE1HEC1SV.TIFEl iE~tEM,Jdf,~ V I

COPIE CE~TIFIEE CON E SECTION 267: Justification of Crime

Whoever publicly justifies the felonies of murder, depredation, arson, destruction or felonious theft, or
any felony or misdemeanour against the security of the State, shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 1 (one) to

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 5 (five) years, or with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAt: 20 00 000 (twenty million)
or with both such 1rnp1 sonrnent and fine

SECTIO N 268: C ruelty to an Animal

(1) Whoever causes needless suffering to any animal, whether domestic, tamed or kept in captivity,
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 3 (three) months, or with fine of
from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand), or with both such imprisonment
and fine.

(2) On conviction, the Court may deprive the offender of ownership of the animal.

(3) Where the condition of the animal renders such an order proper, the Court may order its
destruction.

SECTION 268-1: Sexual Intercourse on an Animal

(1) Whoever has sexual intercourse on an animal shall be punished with imprisonment for

from 3 (three) to 5 (five) years.

(2) Whoever, by force or moral ascendency, compels any person to have sexual intercourse on an
animal shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

(3) In cases provided for in Subsection (2) above, the Court may also order the offender to bear the
cost of medical treatment of the victim.

CHAPTER VI PUBLIC WORSHIP

SECTION 269: Freedom of Conscience

Whoever by any interference or threat compels or prevents the practice of any form of religion which
does not involve the commission of a criminal offence, shall be punished with imprisonment for from
1 (one) month to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty
thousand).

,i;:,;,,.:;i Of111 REPueuoue . _ jlq/j,,j14! (lf~!IAl <;< i ;J :~ i ,,,, flilii~l~li< cH~t

C6~1t eu~IIFIEE CONF

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 SECTION 270· Contempt of Minister of Religion

Whoeve· strikes or publicly insults a mIn1ster ot rehg1on on account of his ministry shall be punished
with Impnsonment for from 1 (one) month to 3 (three) years

SECTION 271 : Violent Obstruction of Mi nistry

Whoever obstructs by assault or threat the exercise of his ministry by a minister of religion shall be
punished in like manner.

SECTION 272: Disturbance of Public Worship

Whoever by disturbance or disorder obstructs, delays or interrupts religious worship in the place
where it is customarily offered,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) year or with fine of from
CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand}, or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 273: Disturbance of Funeral

Whoever: .

a) disturbs any funeral ceremony or procession; or

b) defaces any funerary monument; or

c) fails to perform any duty by which he is bound to bury or burn a corpse ;

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 6 (six) months or with fine of from CFAF 5
000 (five thousand) to CFAF 25 000 (twenty five thousand}, or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 274: Violation of Graves and Corpses

(1) Whoever: - a) violates any tomb or place of burial; or

b) offers indignity to any human corpse or part thereof, whether buried or not,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 5 (five) years and with fine of from
CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

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 (2) Nothing in this section shall apply to any dealing with a -orpse in the nterests of science and ir
accordance with any regulation m for .tc

(3) Whoever has sexual intercourse on a corpse shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3
(three) months to 5 (five) years

(4) Whoever, by force or moral ascendency, compels any person to have sexual intercourse on a
corpse shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

PART Ill FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS AGAINST PRIVATE INTEREST

CHAPTER I THE PERSON

A -INTENTIONAL KILLING AND HARM

SECTION 275: Murder

Whoever causes another's death shall be punished with imprisonment for life.

SECTION 276: Capital Murder

(1 ) Whoever commits murder:

a) after premeditation; or

b) by poisoning; or

c) with a view to trafficking the organs of the victim;

d) in the preparation, facilitation or commission of a felony or misdemeanour. or to enable the escape

or to procure the impunity of the offender or of an accessory to such felony or misdemeanour, shall be
punished with death.

(2) Murder shall be deemed premeditated notwithstanding that the identity of the victim is not decided
or that the enterprise depends on the fulfilment of a condition.

, ~,;,;,tr,C~ OE I.A ~GPU!;tOU£ tf~:t!":MiATGt.,IEPA\

~U . ~-4 .. .i l.C~~i tlO.•SlAt~• El .i~... MEtr. cor•1ECER!IFIEE co RME

-,t

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 SECTION 277· Grievous Harm

Whoever permanently deprives another of the use of the whole or ot any part of any member, organ or
sense shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

SECTION 277-1 : Genital Mutilation

(1) Whoever mutilates the genital organ of a person, by any means whatsoever, shall be punished with
the penalties provided for in Section 277 above:

(2) The penalty shall be imprisonment for life where:

a) the offender habitually carries out such practice or does so for commercial purposes;

b) it leads to the death of the victim.

(3) The Court may also impose the forfeitures provided for in Sections 19 and 30 of this Code.

(4) The provisions of Sub-sections 1 and 2 above shall not apply where the acts were performed by a
qualified person and in order to save life.

SECTION 277-2: Prevention of Growth of Organ

Whoever, in any manner whatsoever, interferes with an organ in order to inhibit its normal growth
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years and with fine of from
CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 277 -3: Torture

(1) Whoever involuntarily causes deat l!:b~y_~~~~~::bEc:pllJffi&t:ied with life imprisonment.

(2) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years where torture causes a
permanent deprivation of the use of all or part of a limb, organ or sense.

(3) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF
100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) where torture leads to illness or
incapacity to work of more than 30 (thirty) days.

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 (4) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 5 (five· years and with fine of from CFAF
50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 200 OOC 'twc nundred thousand) where torture leads to illness or
incapacity to No k f ..JP to 30 (thirty) days, or pain or mental or psychological injury.

(5) For the purposes of this section torture• shall mean any act by which acute pain or suffering, either
physical, mental or psychological, is intentionally inflicted to a person by a public servant, a
traditional leader or any other person acting in the course of duties either at his own instigation or with
his express or implied consent, in order to obtain information or confessions from that person or from
another, to punish her for an act that she or any other person has committed, or is presumed to have
committed, to intimidate or overawe her or any other person, or for any other motive based on any
discrimination.

The word "torture" as so defined does not apply to pain or suffering resulting from legitimate
punishments, inherent to or caused by them.

(6) No exceptional circumstances, whatever they are, whether a state of war or threat of war, internal
political stability or state of exception, may be invoked to justify torture.

(7) Torture may not be justified by command of a superior or public authority.

(8) The requirements provided in section 10 (1) of this Code shall not be applicable to torture.

B - INTENTIONAL FORCE AND I

SECTION 278: Assault Occasioning Death

(1) Whoever by force or interference unintentionally causes another's death shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 6 (six) to 20 (twenty) years.

(2) Where the force or interference is used in the course of any act of witchcraft, magic or divination
the punishment shall be imprisonment for life.

SECTION 279: Assault Occasioning Grievous Harm

(1) Whoever by force or interference unintentionally causes to another the injuries described in section
277 of this Code shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and in a fit
case with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand}.

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 (2) Where use is made of a weapon, of any explosive corrosive or toxic substance of poison or of any
act of witchcraft magic or divination fie ,mpnsonment shall be from 6 (six) to 15 (tIfteen) years.

SECTION 280: Simple Harm

Whoever by force or interference causes intentionally or unintentionally to another any sickness or

inability to work lasting more than 30 (thirty) days shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6
(six) months to 5 (five) years or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand} to 200 000 (two
hundred thousand}, or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 281 : Slight Harm

Whoever by force or interference causes intentionally or unintentionally to another any .sickness or

inability to work lasting for more than 8 (eight) days and up to 30 (thirty) days shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 6 (six) days to 2 (two) years or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand)
to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand}, or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 282: Desertion of Incapable

(1) Whoever with intent to abandon him removes any person unable to protect himself by reason of his
physical or mental condition shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) years
and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand).

(2) Where the abandonment is in a lonely place the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 5
(five) to 10 (ten) years.

(3) Where the offender is an ascendant or any other person having authority over the incapable or
having custody of him, whether by law or in fact, the punishment shall be imprisonment for from 10
(ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

(4) Upon conviction under this section the court may impose the forfeitures described by section 30 of
this C y also deprive the offender of parental power for the same perio n :5iuU4Cc OE V.
REPUBLIOUE

SECRETARIAi GEN61AL SU\'ICDUnO.EHfGISV.Tlf ET i !.:t , N1 ,.l

GOPIECERTIFIEE CON ME

SECTION 283: Failure to Assist

Whoever fails to render assistance to a person in danger of death or grievous harm, whether by his
own endeavours or by calling for help, where such assistance involves no risk to himself or to any
other person, shall be

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 punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 20
000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

C - COMMON PROVISIONS

SECTION 284: Mistake as to Victim

For the purposes of Sections 275 to 281 inclusive the infliction of death or the use of force or
interference shall be treated as intentional notwithstanding that it is intended to be Inflicted on or used
against a different person.

SECTION 285: Constructive Force

For the purposes of this Code the following shall be treated as the use of force or as interference:

a) the administration of any substance harmful to health ;

b) desertion under section 282 ;

c) deprivation of nourishment or care, to a degree endangering health, by a person having custody in

law or in fact of another who is either incapable of withdrawing himself from the said custody or
incapable of providing for himself.

SECTION 286: Medical Treatment

Sections 277 to 281 inclusive shall not apply to the professional services of any person duly
authorized to render them, where performed with the consent either of the patient or of such person as
may have custody of him:

Provided that where the patient is Incapable of consent his spouse may consent on his behalf, and
where communication with the said spouse or person having custody is impossible without risk to the
patient, consent shall not be necessary.

SECTION 287; Interest of Victim

The infliction of harm and the use of force shall constitute no offence where proved to be justified by
the immediate necessity of avoiding greater harm to the victim.

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 SECTION 288: Sport

Sections 278 to 281 inclusive shall not be applicable to anything done in the course of a sport and in
accordance with its rules.

D - UNINTENTIONAL KILLING AND HARM

SECTION 289: Unintentional Killing and Harm

(1) Whoever by lack of due skill, carelessness, rashness or disregard of regulation causes another's
death or such harm, sickness or incapacity as is described in section 277 or 280 shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 5 (five) years or with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten
thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Where such harm, sickness or incapacity as is described in Sections 277 or 280 is caused by an
offence against section 227 or 228 (2) (a) or (b) the imprisonment shall be from 6 (six) to (20) twenty
years.

(3) Where another's death is caused by an offence against Sections 227or 228 (2) (a) or (b), the
punishment shall be imprisonment for life.

(4) Where any offence against this section is committed in the course of driving a vehicle requiring a
driving license, the Court may disqualify the offender for up to 3 (three) years from holding such
license and for any subsequent offence within the meaning of Section 88 of this Code may disqualify
him for up to 10 (ten) years.

P?.,;1.'.lcNCf Of LA RfPUBUOUf !;EC:tE'JAifAI CENEP.AlSECTION 290: Drivers of Vehicles

Sf<~,::: ~U;,c,n ER LfG1Sl.AnF ET RE:- ME

CO?IE CERIIREE CO RME

(1) The punishment provided by section 289 (1y~s~ ~lI be do == = == ==l)El =~==ubled=for an==J
offence committed by the driver of any vehicle -

a) who is drunk or drugged when driving ; or

b) who has not the license required for driving t he vehicle in question ; or

c) who with intent to avoid his liability departs before being identified.

(2) Where such harm as is described in section 281 is caused unintentionally in the circumstances of
the last foregoing subsection, the driver shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months
to 4 (four) years and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred
thousand).
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 (3) For any offence against this section, the Court may disqualify the offender for up to five years
from holding a driving license; and on subsequent conviction within the meaning of Section 88 of this
Code may disqualify him for life or for any lesser term.

(4) In any case not covered by subsection (1) (c) of this section, the driver of any vehicle involved in
an accident who with intent to avoid his liability departs before being identified shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty
thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand); and the Court may disqualify him for up to 2
(two) years from holding a driving license.

CHAPTER II PRIVATE LIBERTY AND TRANQUILITY

A - LIBERTY

SECTION n 291: False Arrest

(1) Whoever in any manner deprives another of his liberty shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 1 000
000 (one million).

(2) The punishment shall be imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years in any of the
following cases:

a) where the deprivation of liberty lasts for more than a month; or

b) where it is accompanied with physical or mental torture; or

c) where the arrest is effected with the aid of a forged order from a public authority or of a uniform
unlawfully worn, or pretending an appointment not held.

SECTION 292: Forced Labour

Whoever for his personal advantage compels another to do any work or .to render any service which
he has not offered of his own free will shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5
(five) years or with fine of from CFFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

---..-..-.-,,~c.::u~ev.:-:-:;R~:;Pu;;,u-;,o~ue;::;~ ,-;<:~..;,.. t G:N£9Al.

_sez~ci~~~l .o.n." ff - . ,-LE"' ~~Mil ••i' --:."'Jr~t2l;;;,..,s,,,'-"'., ."co?1ECERHPIE~ RM

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 SECTION 293: Slavery

Whoever enslaves any person or keeps him in slavery shall be punished with imprisonment for from
10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years.

The Court may in addition impose the forfeitures described in Section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 294: Immoral Earnings

(1) Whoever procures, aids or facilitates another persons' prostitution, or shares in the proceeds of
another's prostitution, whether habitual or otherwise, or who is subsidized by any person engaging in
prostitution shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years and with
fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one mill ion).

(2) Whoever lives with a person engaging in prostitution shall be presumed to be subsidised by her,
unless he shows that his own resources are sufficient to enable him to support himself.

(3) The punishment shall be doubled where:

a. the offence is accompanied; by coercion or by fraud or where the offender is armed; or where he is
the owner, manager or otherwise in charge of an establishment where prostitution is habitually
practiced;

b. where the offence has been committed to the detriment of any person under the age of 21 (twenty-
one);

c. where the offender is the father or mother, guardian or person with customary responsibility.

(4) In the cases referred to under subsection 3, the provisions of section 48 shall be applied.

(5) The court may impose the forfeitures described by Section 30 of this Code and disqualify the
offender for the same period from being guardian or curator of any person and from having custody,
customary or otherwise, of any person under the age of 21 (twenty-one).

(6) Upon conviction under subsection 3 (a) of this section, the court shall order closure of the
establishment, to whatever other use it may be put.

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 (7) The prostitute herself shall not be treated as accessory to any offence under this section

B - SEXUAL OFFENCES

SECTION 295: Private indecency

(1) Whoever in any place, notwithstanding that it may not be open to the public, commits an indecent
act in the presence of any person of either sex and without his consent shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 2 (two) years or with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten
thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The punishment shall be doubled where the offence is accompanied by assault.

SECTION 296: Rape

Whoever by force or moral ascendency compels any person, whether above or below the age of
puberty, to have sexual Intercourse with him shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to
10 (ten) years.

SECTION 297: Subsequent Marriage

Marriage freely consented between the offender and the victim, even where she is over puberty at the
time of commission of the offence provided for in Sections 295 and 296 above, shall have no effect on
the prosecution and conviction.

SECTION 298: Aggravation

The penalties prescribed by Sections 294, 295 and 296 shall be doubled where the offender:

a) has authority over the victim, or custody of him by law or by custom; or

b) is a public servant or minister of religion; or

c) is helped by one or more others.

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 C - PERSONALTRANQUILITY

SECTION 299: Invasion of Residence

(1) Whoever enters or remains in another's residence against his will shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 10 (ten) days to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand)
to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The penalty shall be doubled for an offence committed at night or with the aid of force, threats or
other interference.

(3) No prosecution may be commenced without the complaint of the injured party.

SECTION 300: Tampering with Correspondence

(1) Whoever without permission from the addressee destroys, conceals or opens another's
correspondence shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) year or with
fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand), or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

(2) This Section shall not apply between spouses, to parents in respect of their children under 21
(twenty-one) years of age and unemancipated, or to guardians or persons responsible by custom in
respect of their wards.

SECTION 301 : Simple Threats

Whoever orally or by any writing or picture threatens another with force or interference, or with the
destruction of any property, or with breaking into his residence, shall be punished with imprisonment
for from 10 (ten) days to 3 (three) years and with fine of from CFAF -000-{fwe....thousandl to CFAF
150 000 (one hundred and fifty thousand). "?.=:.;.':'~DE LA REPuat:oue

_ St:\..~CtAklAT Cf~PA! St-', .CfLUflCh.lfllEGISt.Af)C-O~~GtE r i1E

SECTION 302: Conditional Threats COPIE CER1IFIEE CONFO ~

-(1) Whoever threatens another, expressly or y imp 1 , rce or other interference in case of his failure to
comply with any order or condition shall be punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) days to 6
(six) months and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five
thousand).

(2) Where the force or other interference would constitute a felony punishable with death or with
imprisonment for life, the punishment shall be:

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 a) imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 3 (three) years and fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five
thousand) to CFAF 70 000 (seventy thousand) for verbal threats;

b) imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years and fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to
CFAF 250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) for threats in writing or picture; and the Court may in
addition impose the forfeitures described in section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 302-1: Sexual Harassment

(1) Whoever takes advantage of the authority conferred on him by his position to harass another using
orders, threats, constraints or pressure in order to obtain sexual favours, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF (one hundred
thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one mill ion).

(2) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from one to 3 (three) years where the victim is a minor.

(3) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 3 (three) to 5 (five) years where the offender is in
charge of the education of the victim.

SECTION 303: Blackmail

(1) Whoever threatens another with a defamatory imputation or with any revelation in case of his
failure to comply with any order or condition shall be punished with imprisonment for from one to 5
(five) years and with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two
million).

(2) The penalty shall be doubled for imputation of a felony.

(3) The Court may in addition impose the forfeitures described in Section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 304: False Report

(1) Whoever makes to any person in authority, whether public or private, a false report liable to lead to
prosecution or to disciplinary measures shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months
to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million),
unless he shows that he had good reason to believe the report to be true.
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 (2) Imprisonment shall be for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years when the false report ,s anonymous.

(3) Where in consequence of the report a criminal prosecution is commenced in the trial court in
respect of the facts reported, any prosecution for fa lse report shall be stayed unti l final judgment

(4) The Court may order publication of its judgment.

SECTION 305: Defamation

(1 ) Whoever by any of the means described in Section 152 injures the honour or reputation of another
by imputations, direct or indirect, of facts which he is unable to prove shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 6 (six) days to 6 (six) months and with a fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five
thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million), or with only one of the penalties.

(2) These penalties shall equally apply to persons guilty of defamation in the print and audio-visual
media without prejudice to the right of reply and to the obligation to publish corrections.

(3) No proof may be offered of the truth of defamatory imputation where:

a) it concerns the private life of the person defamed; or

b) it refers to a fact more than ten years old; or

c) it refers to a fact constituting an offence which has been amnestied or the conviction for which has
been otherwise expunged.

(4) No prosecution may be commenced without the complaint of the injured party or of his
representative by law or by custom, or continued after withdrawal of the complaint.

(5) Prosecution shall be barred by the lapse of four months from commission of the offence or from
the last step in preparation or prosecution.

(6) This section shall apply to defamation of the memory of a deceased person with intent to injure the
honour or reputation of his living heirs, spouse or universal legatee.

(7) The penalty shall be halved for a defamation which is not public.

(8) The penalty shall be doubled or anon}'.mous defamation.

••,, •.; .~,:.0Ll ll REPUit,OUE :ti!~fiil~AT0-E ,fPJ.t

!!~viCe : u /o<:n1U l (O~lATif ! l l !Jl!M l COPIE CERIIAEE CONFO

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 SECTION 306: Exceptions to Defamation

The following shall constitute no offence.

1. speeches within any legislative assembly, and any reports or other documents printed by order of
any such assembly ,

2. fa ithful accounts without malice of the public sittings of Parliament any such assembly ;

3. proceedings in court and the speeches made and documents produced in court ;

4. faithful accounts without malice of all such proceedings and speeches, save of prosecution or action
for defamation ;

5. publication of any judgment or judicial order, including those passed in a prosecution or action for
defamation ;

6. an official report without malice by a person lawfully appointed to conduct an enquiry to the extent
that it is germane to the enquiry ;

7. imputations without malice by a superior on his subordinate ;

8. information on any person given without malice to a third party having an interest, personal or
official, in receiving it, or having power to remedy an alleged injustice ;

9. criticism of any work of art, entertainment or opinion shown or expressed in public, provided that
such criticism be not an expression of personal animosity ;

10. any work of a historical nature and without malice.

SECTION 307: Abuse

(1) Whoever uses without having been provoked against any person in the circumstances of publicity
described in section 152 any insulting expression, or contemptuous gesture or words, or invective
without imputation of fact, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 {five) days to 3 (three)
months or, with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand), or
with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) No prosecution may be commenced without the complaint of the injured party or of his
representative by law or by custom, or continued after withdrawal of the complaint.

(3) Prosecution shall be barred by the lapse of four months from the commission of the offence or
from the last step in preparation or prosecution.~-------- .i',<:;,:,:NCE0c I.A ~fPU&t:Q

S!CR<!Alt!Al G!>-llill I:< 1,COU fiCIGEi LfGISIAl\1 Ot!MI~ , ~t

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 112COPIE CERTIFIE£C FORME
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 (4) This section shall apply to abuse of the memory of deceased person in the circumstances
prescribed by section 305 (5)

SECTION 308: Extortion of Disposition or Signature

(1) Whoever by force, coercion or fraud extorts the signature or the delivery of any document having
the effect of an obligation. discharge or disposition, or otherwise liable to harm the signatory in his
person or in his substance, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and
with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) Whoever procures by the like means the delivery of a signed blank paper and fills it up with any
obligation, discharge or disposition shall be punished in like manner.

CHAPTER Ill CONFIDENCE

SECTION 309: Signature in Blank

Whoever, being entrusted with a signed blank paper takes advantage of it to insert any unauthorized
obligation, discharge or disposition or any other writing liable to harm the signatory in his person or in
his substance, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years or with fine of
from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand), or with both such
imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 310: Professional Confidence

(1) Whoever without permission from the person interested in secrecy reveals any confidential fact
which has come to his knowledge or which has been confided to him solely by reason of his
profession or duties shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 3 (three) years
and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) .

(2) Subsection (1) shall apply neither to statements to the prosecution or police concerning facts which
may amount to a felony or mlsdemeanour, nor to answers in court to any question whatever.

(3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall release from the duty of professional confidence:

•~cilDENCEOE IA REPU8UOUE

S!!vic, JU,~~~~l~~~ICfHERAL • t lf c.......,(AflF EJREClE'M"'''""

COPIE CEP.TIF!EE CONF 113-

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 (2) The Court mav ,n addition impose the forfeitures descr'bed 1n Sect1on 30 of this Code.

SECTION 313-1 : Non-declaration of Conflict of Interest

Whoever, being an employee of the public or private sector, personally or through a third party or
under any name whatsoever, has vested interests in an enterprise or a sector placed under his direct
supervision or that relates to him, that may compromise or restrict his independence, but fails to
inform his superiors, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with
fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

SECTION 314: Forgery

(1) Whoever forges or alters, whether in its substance or in the signatures of the parties or witnesses or
in its date, any private document having the effect of an obligation, discharge or disposition shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) to 8 (eight) years and with fine of from CFAF 50 000
(fifty thousand) to CFAF (one million).

(2) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF
100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million) where the document is:

a) commercial or bank paper; or

b) evidence of a right in land; or

c) a power to sign any document described by subsection (a) or (b); or

d) a will.

(3) Whoever makes use of: a) any document described in this section; or

b) of an expired document of like nature representing it to be still be effective; or

c) of a document of like nature referring to another person of whom he passes himself off- shall be
punished in like manner as if he had forged the document.

- r~:l::".E1>CE OE V. REPUBl lOUE

l(Cc,i~,IAIO!MW.l l!k\'.C: ~U !,Q,,fl\ (0111,AT~ !H! EJ<1 E

eor1cC!RTIPIEE co RME

... 116
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 a) a physician or surgeon save within the scope of a commission from the prosecution )r of his
referenc as an expert refe, ee

b) a public servant under orders 1r writing from the Government

c) a minister of religion or counsel

(4) Upon conviction the Court may order the forfeitures described by Section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 31 1: Commercial Confidence

(1) Whoever reveals without permission from the person interested in secrecy any confidential fact or
process which has come to his knowledge or which has been confided to him solely by reason of his
employment in an industrial or commercial undertaking shall be punished with imprisonment for from
3 (three) months to 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to
CFAF 5 000 000 (five million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Upon conviction the Court may order the forfeitures described by section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 311-1: Non-observance of Conditions for Registration in the Trade and Personal
Property Credit Register

Whoever is bound to fulfil any condition for registration in the Trade and Personal Property Credit
Register and who fails to do so or does so by fraud, shall be punished with imprisonment for from
three 3 (months) to 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to
CFAF 5 000 000 (five million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

The competent Court shall, where necessary, order the rectification of inaccurate entries and
transcripts.

SECTION 311 - 2: Failure to Indicate the Status of Lease Manager of a Business

Any lease manager of a business who omits to indicate such status at the top of his purchase orders,
invoices, and other financial or commercial documents as well as his registration number in the Trade
and Personal Property Credit Register shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months
to 3 (three) years or with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 5 000 000 (five
million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

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 SECTION 314-1 Accounting Irregularities

(1) ./1/hoever deliberately draws up off record accounts uses false documents records false income and
expenses or destroys accounting documents earlier than provided for by law, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred
thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

(2) The penalties provided for in Subsection (1) above shall be doubled where the offender is an
officially recognized professional accountant or where the accounts produced were certified as true
and fair by such professional.

(3) Where false accounts are drawn up or certified with intent to conceal acts of corruption or
misappropriation of public property, the penalties shall be those applicable to such offences.

SECTION 315: False or Forged Certificate

(1) Whoever forges or alters a private certificate or issues a false certificate, where such issue is not
otherwise punished, or who makes use of a forged, altered or false private certificate shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 1 (one) year.

(2) The penalty provided for in Subsection (1) above shall be doubled for forgery, alteration, or use of
a medical certificate or of any private document not described by Section 314.

CHAPTER IV PROPERTY

A - DESTRUCTION

n : 51.)ENCc Of IA REPUBUOIJE SECi;lA~IAI CEN<AA!

:u vie: :v i ,CHl(i( ltOOLAnF ET R'EGL COPIE CERJIFJEE CO,_!;JN-""'~

SECTION 316 : Destruction

(1) Whoever destroys the whole or any part of any property belonging wholly or in part to another or
charged in favour of another shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 3
(three) years or with fine of CFAF 5 000 (five) thousand to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand), or
with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 10 (ten) years or fine of from CFAF 10 000
(ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred

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thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine, where the property in question is a building
construction ship, plant or 1nstallat1on

SECTION 317: Boundary Marks and Fences

Whoever.

a) destroys, removes or displaces a boundary stone or any other mark set up to show the boundary
between properties: or

b) destroys any fence of whatever nature, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen)
days to 1 (one) year and with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 50 000 ( fifty
thousand).

B - AGAINST PROPRIETARY INTEREST

SECTION 318: Theft., Misappropriation, False Pretences

(1) Whoever causes loss to another:

a) by theft, that is by removing his property; or

b) by misappropriation that is by destruction, waste or conversion of any property capable of being

removed entrusted to him for the purpose of custody, return, accounting or any particular manner of
dealing.

Provided that this paragraph shall apply neither to money loan nor to a consumer goods loan ;

c) false pretence, that is by influencing him deceitfully by tricks or by misrepresentation or

concealment of any matter of fact ; shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten)
years and with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

(2) The Court may in addition impose the forfeitures described in Section 30 of this Code.

s;,;;,J.,~Cf DE lA Rf:PUDUOUE SECTION 319: Special Thefts and Misappropriatio

s:caETMllAJCENEAAl

SEeiiCc OU liO<TU IEGISLJ,TIF ET R·~ COPIECERTIFIEE CO ORME

hall apply to:The penalties provided for in Section 318 above L.._:::-..=====..J 1. the unauthorized
appropriation of any generated energy; and

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 2. the unauthorized use of any property, without the intention to deonve the owner of it and

3. the taking of lost property, and

4 the taking or misappropriation by a debtor of his own property charged with the debt

SECTION 320: Aggravated Theft

(1) The penalties provided for in Section 318 above shall be doubled if the theft was committed either:

a) with force, or

b) bearing weapons, or

c) by breaking in, by climbing in, or by the use of a false key, or

d) with a motor vehicle.

(2) Whoever commits a theft by the use of force causing the death of another or grievous harms as
provided for in Sections 277 and 279 of the Penal Code shall be punished with the death.

SECTION 321: Aggravated Misappropriation and False Pretences

The penalties prescribed by section 318 shall be doubled for misappropriation or false pretences
committed:

a) by counsel or by notary, public auctioneer, bailiff, process server or business agent;

b) by an employee or employer against his employer or employee;

c) by an offender advertising or who has advertised publicly.

SECTION 322: Credit by Fraud and Fraudulent Retention

(1) Whoever, being unable to pay for them:

a) orders and consumes on the spot any food or drink; or

b) occupies any room in a hotel; or

c) hires a taxi

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) days to 6 (six) months and with fine of from
CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 25 000 ( twenty- five thousand). P~ESiOcNceoe LAREl'ueuoue

SfCRElARIAI GENERAL ;;p•1.C: i)U f,CitJU LECISV,tlf El RfQ!Ml'$1

:
 COPIE CERTlflEE CO RM119
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 (2) The acts described in subsections 1 (a) and (b) shall constitute no offence if the supply of food or
dnnk Jr the accommodation continues for more than one week

(3) Whoever, without just cause, retains anything belonging to another shall be punished in like
manner

SECTION 322 -1: Renting Fraud

(1) Whoever rents a built or un-built property on the basis of a duly registered contract, owing two
months rents, and who has not paid such rents or vacated the said property, one month after service of
a notice to pay or quit, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 3 (three) years
or with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 300 000 (three hundred
thousand), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Upon conviction the Court shall, in addition, order the eviction of the tenant or any other occupant.

SECTION 322 -2: Destruction of Rented Premises

Any tenant who, at the time of leaving the pre any equipment therein found, shall be punished as 322-
1 above.

;•;,~,DENCE OE lA REl'U!llOUE SEC>ETAJIIAI ctNWl

s,;.•,:C::X,nC!,JfHEG,$1/,TIF !T (),If • t COPIECERllFIEEC FORME

ises, damages them or

SECTION 322 -3: Infringement of the Lien of the Lessor

The lessee or any other person who fraudulently deprives the lessor wholly or partially of his lien over
the movables of the lessee shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 3 (three)
years or with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to CFAF 300 000 (three hundred
thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 323: Immunity Between Relatives

Sections 318, 319, 322, 322-1 and 322-2 of this Code shall not be applicable to a person guilty of the
acts therein described against his spouse, against his legitimate or adoptive or adopted ascendant or
descendant, or against his natural ascendant or descendant up to the second degree either living with
him or after recognition; or to a surviving spouse in respect of necessaries belonging to the deceased
spouse.

SECTION 324: Receiving

(1) Whoever holds or disposes of anything procured by the commission of a misdemeanour, whether
:
 knowing or having reason to suspect the

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 criminal origin of the property. shall be punished with the penalties prescribed by Section 31 8.

(2) In case of felony, the punishment shall be doubled.

SECTION 325: Usury

(1) Any lender demanding or taking interest or any other reward higher than the rate fixed by law for
loans of the kind in question shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF
1 000 000 (one million).

(2) On subsequent conviction within the meaning of Section 88 of this Code, the penalty shall be
imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) year and the fine shall be doubled.

(3) The Court may order publication of its judgment under Section 33 of this Code.

(4) For the purposes of this Section, the as an accessory.

SECTION 326: Forbidden Sales

Whoever: - so offers any goods to the public as to engender the hope of

obtaining them free or at a reduced price in consideration of persuading others to take up coupons or
to buy; or

- sends goods to an addressee who has not ordered them, giving him the choice between keeping them
and sending them back whether or not at his expense shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1
(one) month to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF 2
000 000 (two million), or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 327: Infringement of Intellectual Property and Artistic Rights

(1) Whoever: a) by any means whatsoever exploits a literary or artistic work done in

violation of the law through performance, reproduction or transformation or distribution;

b) reproduces, communicates or supplies to the public by sale, exchange, rental of a recording,

phonogramme, videogramme undertaken without

!ad

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 the authorization, of the performer, of the producer of the phonogramme or videogramme or the
aud1ov•~ a' ·ommunication enterprise where such authorizauon 1s required

c) infringes the moral right, through violation of the right of disclosure, the right to authorship or the
right to respect of a literary or artistic work;

d) infringes the right of authorship and the right to integrity of a performance;

e) imports, exports, sells or puts up for sale forged objects;

f) imports or exports phonogrammes or videogrammes produced without the authorization of the

performer or producer of the phonogramme or videogramme, where such authorization is required;

g) knowingly produces or imports with the intention of selling or renting or setting up equipment,
device or instrument entirely or partially designed to fraudulently receive televised programmes where
such programmes are reserved for a specific public that receives them in return for a fee paid to their
operator or his legal representatives;

h) fraudulently neutralizes effective technical measures used by owners of copyrights or neighbouring

rights to protect their works against unauthorized acts;

r~,;1:c~CEOE LA REPUBllOUE i) allows the irregular reproduction or performan 1,j!'.1.chi~~ -!mlt!

works protected by law; COPIE CERllFIEf CON/'OR!.ll

j) fails to pay a fee provided for by law or do!;!_s so tardi~ ithou · justification;

k) removes or alters without authorization any electronic information relating to the copyright regime;

I) distributes, imports for distribution, communicates without authorization originals or copies of

works, performances, videogrammes, phonogrammes, programmes, being aware that the electronic
information relating to the copyright regime has been removed or altered without authorization ,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF
500 000 (five hundred thousand) to CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million) or both such punishment and fine.

(2) "Information on copyright regime" shall mean information that helps to identify the work,
performance, videogramme, phonogramme or programme, or information on the conditions of use of
such productions and any number or code representing such information where one of these elements
of information is attached to a copy of a production or is linked to the communication of a production
to the public.

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 (3) The penalties provided for in Subsection (1 l above shall be doubled where the offender Is a co-
contractor of the owner of the 1nfnnged nght

(4) The court may order the confiscation of forged copies, the equipment used to commit the offence
as well as proceeds derived therefrom

(5) The competent court may also order the destruction of the equipment used and the forged copies,
and the publication of its decisions as provided for in Section 33 of this Code.

SECTION 328: Infringements of Patents

(1) Whoever unknowingly uses a patent or conceals, sells, exports, imports or uses any object
constituting an infringement of patent shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 1 000 000 (one
million) to CFAF 3 000 000 (three million).

(2) In the case of a subsequent offence or where the offender is or was employed in the establishment
where the patent was exploited, further punishment of from (1) one to 6 (six) months may be
prescribed.

(3) The Court shall order confiscation and delivery to the patentee of any object constituting an
infringement of patent and may order publication of its judgment as provided by Section 33 of this
Code.

(4) The Court shall rule on the exceptions that may be raised by the offender relating to the nullity or
forfeiture of the patent or issues relating to ownership of the said patent.

(5) No prosecution may be commenced except on complaint by the patentee.

SECTION 329: Industrial Designs

(1) Whoever unduly exploits a registered design shall be punished with a fine of from CFAF 1 000
000 (one million) to CFAF 6 000 000 (six million).

(2) In the case of a subsequent offence, or where the offender is or was .employed in the establishment
where the patent was exploited, further punishment of from 1 (one) to 6 (six) months may be
prescribed.

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 (3) In the cases provided for in Subsections (1) and (2) above the C' urt shall order the confiscation of
the goods from the undue exploitation hP trademarks to oe given to the victim

(4) The offender shall forleit his election and eligibility rights and any elective or appointive mandate
or to any Consular Chamber of Commerce or Industry for 10 (ten) years.

(5) The Court shall rule on the exceptions that may be raised by the offender relating to the nullity or
forfeiture of the patent or issues relating to ownership of the said patent.

(6) The Court shall order the publication of its decision as provided for in Section 33 of this Code.

(7) No prosecution may be commenced except on complaint by the patentee.

SECTION 330: Trade marks

(1) Whoever forges a registered trademark shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three)
months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from CFAF 1 000 000 (one million) to CFAF 6 000 000 (six
million).

(2) Whoever conceals, sells, exports, imports or uses any object constituting an infringement of
registered trademark shall be punished as provided for in Subsection (1) above.

(3) In the cases provided for in Subsections (1) and (2) above, the Court shall order confiscation and
delivery to the trademark owner of any object constituting an infringement of trademark.

(4) The Court shall order publication of its judgment as provided under Section 33 of this Code.

SECTION 331 : Fraudulent debtor

(1) Any debtor, whether or not a trader, who with intent to avoid payment to one or more creditors
gives, delivers, transfers, encumbers,

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 removes or conceals the whole or any oart of his property shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) year

(2) The intent shall be presumed In case of removal or concealment within 2 (two) months before
judgment against the offender.

SECTION 332: Culpable Bankruptcy

(1) Any individual trader in the position of cessation of payment who:

a) makes, without receiving securities in exchange, commitments deemed too heavy in relation to his
situation when he made them ;

b) where, with intent to delay the establishment of cessation of payments, makes purchases for resale
at lower prices or where, with same intent, uses ruinous means to obtain funds ;

c) where, without valid reason, fails to declare his situation of cessation of payments at the Registry of
the competent court within a period of 30 (thirty) days ;

d) keeps incomplete or improper accounts or does not keep any accounts in conformity with generally
accepted accounting rules and practices, with regard to the size of the company,

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 2 (two) years.

2) Any individual trader who, having been declared 3 (three) times in a situation of cessation of
payments within a period of 5 (five) years, and where such proceedings were closed for asset
inadequacy, shall also be convicted for culpable bankruptcy and punished with the penalties provided
for in Subsection (1) above.

SECTION 333: Fraudulent Bankruptcy

(1) Any natural person who, in case of cessation of payments:

a) removes his books ;

b) converts or dissipates all or part of his assets ;

c) in his books or by any notarial or private deed or in his balance sheet, fraudulently acknowledges
debts which he does not owe : d) exercises the profession of trader in violation of the law ;

e) after cessation of payments, pays any creditor to the detriment of the general body of creditors ;

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 f) arranges with any creditor special benefits on account of his vote at the deliberations of the general
body of creditors or who concludes with any creditor a special agreement from which the creditor
would derive a benefit to be borne by the assets of the debtor with effect from the date of the decision
to initiate proceedings; shall be guilty of fraudulent bankruptcy and punished with imprisonment for
from five to ten years.

(2) Any individual trader who, during collective proceedings for preventive settlement, legal redress
and liquidation of property:

a) in bad faith, presents or permits the presentation of an income statement or balance sheet or
statement of claims and debts or a statement of preferential claims and securities that is inexact or
incomplete;

b) without the authorization of the President of the competent court, committed one of the acts
prohibited by the Law organizing Collective proceedings for Wiping Off Debts, shall also be punished
as provided for in Subsection (1) above.

SECTION 334: Company Manager

Individuals who are managers of corporate bodies subject to collective proceedings and the permanent
representatives of managing corporate bodies who, in that capacity and in bad faith:

a) use or spend money belonging to the corporate body by carrying out mere chance operations or
fictitious operations ;

b) with intent to delay the establishment of cessation of payments by the corporate body make
purchases with the view to reselling them at lower prices or, with the same intent, use ruinous means
to obtain funds ;

c) after cessation of payments by the corporate body, pay or permit a creditor to be paid to the
detriment of the general body of creditors ;

d) cause the corporate body to make for others, without receiving securities in exchange, commitments
deemed too heavy in relation to its situation when the commitments were made ;

e) keep, cause or allow the keeping of improper or incomplete accounts of the corporate body under
the conditions laid down in Section 332 above

f) fail to declare the situation of cessation of payments of the corporate body at the Registry of the
competent court within a period of thirty days

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 g\ witt, a view to hiding all or part of tt>eir estate from proceedings against the cor oorate oody in a
situaiiori of cessation ot oayrnents or those against partners or members or creditors of the corporaie
body, embezzle or conceal, attempt to embezzle or conceal a part of their property or who fraudulently
ackn0wledge debts that they do not owe - shall be punrshed with imprisonment for from 1 (one)
month to 2 (two) years.

SECTION 334-1: - Legal or de Facto Representatives

Legal or de facto representatives of corporate bodies comprrsrng members indefinitely, jointly and
severally liable for the debts of the corporate bodies who, without valid reasons, did not declare its
cessation of payments at the registry of the competent court within a period of thirty days, or where
such declaration does not include the list of jointly and severally liable members with an indication of
their names and residences shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) month to 2 (two)
years.

SECTION 334-2: Individuals Managing Corporations and Permanent Representatives of

Managing Corporate Bodies

(1) Individuals managing corporations and permanent representatives of managing corporate bodies
who fraudulently:

a) remove the books of the corporate body ;

b) convert or conceal a part of its assets ;

c) in their books or by any notarial or private deed or in their balance sheets, acknowledge debts which
the corporate body does not owe ;

d) perform the function of manager in violation of a ban provided for by the OHADA Uniform Acts or
by law or regulation ;

. e) arrange with a creditor, on behalf of the corporate body, special benefits on account of his vote
during the deliberations of the general body of creditors or who conclude with a creditor a special
agreement from which the creditor would derive a benefit to be borne by the assets of the corporate
body with effect from the date of cessation of payments, save otherwise provided by law ;

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years. (2) The managers referred to
in Subsection (1 ) above, who, during

preventive settlement proceedings: IOENCE OE IA R8't.lW011E S!CtEIAl!Al Ge8Al

t OU ACltEi lEGlS!Allf ElREGl!M!MAl!t! COPIECEl!TIFIEE CONFORME

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 a) 1n bad faith present or permit the presentation of an income statement or balance sheet or statement
of claims and debts or a statef'T1ent of preferential claims and securities that is inexact or Incomplete

b) without an authorization from the President of the competent court, commit one of the acts
prohibited by Article 11 of the Uniform Act organizing collective proceedings for wiping off debts
shall be punished as provided for in Subsection (1) above.

SECTION 335: Offences Committed by Third Parties

Whoever :

a) in the interest of the debtor, removes, keeps or conceals all or part of his personal property or real
estate, without prejudice to criminal provisions relating to aiding and abetting ;

b) fraudulently produces fictitious debts, in collective proceedings, either in his name or in another's
name or under a false name ;

c) engaging in a professional independent, civilian, commercial, artisanal or agricultural activity in the

name of another or under a false name, in bad faith, converts, conceals, attempts to convert or conceal
a part of his property

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

SECTION 335-1: Offences Committed by Spouse, Relatives or Kinsmen of the Debtor

The spouse, descendant, ascendant or relative of the debtor or his kinsman up to the fourth degree
inclusively who, unknown to the debtor, embezzles, misappropriates or conceals negotiable
instruments pertaining to the assets of a debtor in a situation of cessation of payments, shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to three 3 (years) or with fine of from CFAF 50 000
(fifty thousand) to CFAF 250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) or with both such imprisonment
and fine.

SECTION 335-2: Damages and Reincorporation

In the cases provided for in Sections 335 and 335-1 above, even where there is discharge, the trial
court shall rule on damages and on the re-incorporation of the property, rights or stocks removed into
the estate of the debto_r

,·, - ,~c, OH" i EPU!UOY< •;;:,_.!1·~~1~1O\~!IAI

"1:.....,; ~l'b(' •1 • fl ~'-.'.jlf ~{N1Jj t, ( .-:.J~(-,.r~l~.......,1.1' • -

eo~I@e@~llftEE CONFORME

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 SECTION 335•3: Offences Committed by the Judicial Representative of a collective proceedings

Any judicial representative of collective proceedings who

a) carries out personal activity under the cover of the company of the debtor concealing his dealings .

b) disposes of the credit or property of the debtor as his ;

c) dissipates the property of the debtor ;

d) undertakes, abusively and in bad faith, in his own interest, either directly or indirectly transactions
resulting in a deficit for the company of the debtor;

e) in violation of the Law organizing Collective proceedings for Wiping off Debts, directly or
indirectly acquires the property of the debtor on his own account

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF
200 000 (two hundred thousand) to CFAF 5 000 000 (five million).

SECTION 336: Unlawful Gains of a Creditor

The creditor who, save otherwise provided by !aw:

a) arranges with a debtor or any other person, special benefits on account of his vote during the
deliberations of the general body of creditors ;

b) concludes a special agreement from which he would derive a benefit to be borne by the debtor's
assets with effect from the date of the decision to initiate collective proceedings

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) years and with fine of from CFAF
50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 1 500 000 (one million five hundred thousand).

CHAPTER IV CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY

SECTION 337: Abortion

(1) Any woman procuring or consenting to her own abortion shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 200
000 (two hundred thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine....---~------,

' R"1iltNCe Of I.A REPUDUOUE rn:•n••IAIOfN!.RAl

I • II ,,Ckllt llC~IAllF a lEOIEM!J,1A>.!o 129 ·e>r Ie CER1IFIEE CONFOi<ME

:
:
 (2) Whoever procures the abortion of a woman, notwithstanding her consent, shall be punished with
imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (fivei years and with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred
thousand) to CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

(3) The penalties prescribed by Subsection (2) shall be doubled where the offender:

a) engages habitually in abortion ; or

b) practises the profession of medicine or an allied profession.

(4) In the circumstances of Subsection (3) (b), the Court may also order closure of the professional
premises and impose a ban on his occupation under Sections 34 and 36of this Code.

SECTION 338: Assault on Woman with Child

Whoever by force used against a woman with chi ld or against a child being born causes, intentionally
or unintentionally the death or permanent incapacity of the child shall be punished with imprisonment
for form 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to
CFAF 2 000 000 (two million).

SECTION 339: Saving Mother

(1) Neither of the two foregoing Sections apply to acts performed by a qualified person and proved
necessary for the saving of the mother from grave danger to her health.

(2) In case of pregnancy resulting from rape, abortion by a qualified medical practitioner after
certificate by the prosecution of a good case shall constitute no offence.

SECTION 340: Infanticide

The punishment for murder within the meaning of Sections 275 or 276 or for abetment of such
murder, by a mother of her child one month of birth shall be reduced to imprisonment for from 5 (five)
to 10 (ten) years. Provided that nothing in this Section shall reduce the penalty as against any other
offender or accessory.

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 - ---

SECTION 341 : Cloud on Parentage

Any person whose conduct has the result of depriving a child of the evidence of his true parentage
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five) to 10 (ten) years.

SECTION 342: Debt Bondage of Persons

(1 ) Whoever subjects a person to debt bondage shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 (five)
to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand).

(2) The penalties provided in Subsection (1) above shall be doubled where the offender is either an
ascendant, a guardian or a person having even customary custody over the victim.

(3) Whoever boards a person in debt bondage shall be punished with imprisonment for 10 (ten) years
and with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

(4) The court may also impose the forfeitures provided for in Section 30 of this Code.

SECTION 342-1: Trafficking and Slavery of Persons

(1 )Whoever engages even occasionally in the practice of trafficking in persons or slavery shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years and with fine of from CFAF 50
000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

(2)Whoever engages in trafficking in persons and slavery shall be punished with imprisonment of
from 15 (fifteen) to 20 (twenty) years and with fine of from CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand) to
CFAF 10 000 000 (ten million) where the:

) offence is committed against a minor of 15 (fifteen) years old ;

) perpetrator is a legitimate, natural or adopted ascendant of the victim ;

) offender has authority over the victim or is expected to participate by virtue of his duties in the fight
against slavery or in peace keeping ;

) offence is committed by an organized gang or an association of criminals;

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 e) offence Is committed with use of a weapon

fl vIctIm susia,ris injuries as desc, 1bec Section 277 c:. Code or

g) where the victim dies as a result of acts related to the offence.

( 3) The Court may also impose the forfeitures provided for In Sectlon 30 of this Code.

SECTION 343: Immoral Earnings

(1) Whoever, of either sex, who engages habitually for gain, in sexual intercourse with another shall
be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF
20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) Whoever, in view of prostitution of or debauchment, proceeds with public gestures, words and
writing or by any other means to the soliciting of persons of either sex shall be punished in like
manner.

SECTION 344: Corruption of Youth

(1) Whoever, in order to satisfy the desires of another person, habitually excites, encourages or
facilitates the debauch or corruption of any person under 18 (eighteen) years of age shall be punished
with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty
thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

(2) The penalty shall be doubled where the victim is under 16 (sixteen) years.

(3) Upon conviction, the Court may order the forfeitures described in Section 30 of this Code and
deprive the offender for the same period of parental power and disqualify him from being guardian or
curator of any minor.

SECTION 345: Moral Danger

Whoever having by law or by custom custody of a person under 18 (eighteen) years of age allows him
to reside or work in an establishment where prostitution is habitually practiced, or to work in a
prostitute's house shall be punished with imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 6 (six) months and
with fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand). ~~=-~-~-
~·=~=- =-=~ _

- ;,>i , ~.,.(;.gil,1, Rl~UiLKJ~ - se~;f,olij•ta,~i•

i!? ,.~~ JU ;ie,1ifj! UM~A llt(ni .\llll {;(;Jr 1G l;~JIIIFlt CONFOR

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 SECTION 346: Indecency to Child under Sixteen

(1 )Whoever commits an indecent act in the presence of a child under the age of 16 (sixteen) shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years and with fine of from CFAF 20 000
(twenty thousand} to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand).

(2) The penalty shall be doubled where the offence is accompanied by assault or where the offender is
one of the persons described in Section 298.

(3) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 10 (ten) to 15 (fifteen) years where the offender has
sexual intercourse with the victim notwithstanding his or her consent.

(4) In case of rape, the imprisonment shall be from fifteen to twenty-five years, or for life where the
offender is one of the persons described by Section 298.

(5) Upon conviction under this Section, the Court may deprive the offender of parental power and
disqualify him from being guardian or curator of any minor for the time prescribed by Section 31 (4)
of this Code.

SECTION 347: Indecency to Minor between Sixteen and Twenty-One

(1) For any offence under Sections 295, 296 and 347-1 of this Code committed against a person over
16 (sixteen) and under 21 (twenty-one) years of age, the penalty shall be doubled.

(2) Upon conviction under this Section, the Court may deprive the offender of parental power and
disqualify him from being guardian or curator of any minor for the time prescribed by Section 31 (4)
of this Code.

SECTION 347-1: Homosexuality

Whoever has sexual relations with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment for
from 6 (six) months to 5 (five) years and a fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 200
000 (two hundred thousand).

SECTION 348: Drink

(1) Whoever:

a) being licensed to sell intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises admits to the said
premises any person under 16 (sixteen)

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 years of age not accompanied by a person over 21 'twenty-one) responsible for superintending him or

b) being licensed to sell beverages for consumption on the premises sells or offers, whether on the said
premises or in any other public place, any intoxicating liquor to any person under 18 (eighteen) years
of age not accompanied by a person over 21 (twenty-one) responsible for superintending him; or

c) makes any person under 21 (twenty-one) years of age drunk,

shall be punished with fine of from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand).

(2) Upon subsequent conviction within the meaning of Section 88of this Code, the punishment shall
be imprisonment for from 15 (fifteen) days to 1 (one) month and fine of from CFAF 10 000 (ten
thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand); and the Court may in addition order:

a) closure of the licensed premises under Section 34 of this Code ;

b) publication of its judgment ;

c) as against any offender the forfeitures described in Section 30 of this Code.

(3) This Section shall not apply to any person proving that he was misled as to the age of the minor or
as to the age or authority of the person accompanying him.

SECTION 349: Advantage of Weakness

(1) Whoever takes advantage of the needs, weakness or passions of any person under 21 (twenty-one)
years of age to induce him to sign any obligation, discharge or disposition, or any other document
liable to harm the signatory in his person or in his substance, shall be punished with the penalty
prescribed by Section 318 of this Code.

. PR:SiOENCEOElA REJ>UBUOve

(2) For the purposes of this Section, any luna csEr,<tt<a&~ f~~,•L and any spendthrift so found, shall
be treated as am or. c·oP1E CERTIFIEEC0)~ 1!AI!.

SECTION 350: Assault on Children

(1) The penalties prescribed by Section 275 on the one hand and by Sections 277 and 278 on the other
shall become death and imprisonment for life respectively where the offences are committed against a
person under 15 (fifteen) years of age, and the penalties prescribed by Sections 279 (1 ), 280 and 281
shall be doubled.

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 (2) Upon conviction for m1sdemeanour under this Section, the Court may order the forfeitures
described in Section 30 of this Code

SECTION 351 : Assault on Ascendant

The penalties prescribed by Section 275 on the one hand and by Sections 277 and 278 on the other
hand shall become death and imprisonment for life respectively where the offences are committed
against the legitimate, natural or adoptive father or mother of the offender, or against any other
legitimate ascendant, and the penalties prescribed by Sections 279 (1 ), 280 and 281 shall be doubled.

SECTION 352: Kidnapping of Child

(1) Whoever without force or fraud takes or entices away any person under 18 (eighteen) years of age,
against the will of those to whom custody belongs by law or by custom, or procures him to leave that
custody shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years and with fine of from
CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand): Provided that this
Subsection shall not apply to a person misled as to the age of the minor.

(2) The subsequent marriage of the offender to the victim shall have no effect on the prosecution and
conviction.

SECTION 353: Kidnapping by Force or Fraud

Whoever by force or fraud takes or entices away any person under the age of twenty-one years,
notwithstanding that he thought him older, and against the will of those to whom custody belongs by
law or by custom or procures him to leave that custody shall be punished with imprisonment for from
5 (five) to 10 (ten) years and with fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 400 000 (four
hundred thousand).

SECTION 354: Aggravated Kidnapping

(1) The punishment for kidnapping under either of the two last foregoing Sections shall be
imprisonment for life where:

- the person kidnapped is under the age of thirteen; or

- the offender commits the offence with intent to obtain a ransom or obtains a ransom.
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 (2) The punishment shall be death where the minor dies as a result of the kidnapping

SECTION 355: Failure to return a child

Whoever being in charge of a child fails to return him to those having the right to claim him back shall
be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years, and with fine of from CFAF 20 000
(twenty thousand) to CFAF 200 000 (two hundred thousand).

SECTION 355-1: Interference with the Right to Visit

Any parent who interferes with the exercise by the other parent of the right granted by a court order to
visit any child they have in common, shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6 (six) months to
1 (one) year or with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred
thousand) or with both such imprisonment and fine.

SECTION 355 -2: Interference with the Right to Education or Training

(1) Any parent with sufficient means who refuses to send his child to school, shall be punished with
fine of from 50 000 (fifty thousand} to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) The punishment shall be imprisonment for from 1 (one) year to 2 (two) years where the offence is
repeated.

SECTION 356: Forced Marriage

(1) Whoever compels anyone to marry shall be punished with imprisonment for from five to 10 (ten)
years, and with fine of from CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand) to CFAF 1 000 000 (one million).

(2) Where the victim is under the age of 18 (eighteen), the punishment may not be less than 2 (two)
years imprisonment, whatever the mitigating circumstances.

(3) Whoever gives in marriage a boy or a girl under 18 (eighteen) shall be punished as under the two
last foregoing Subsections.

(4) Upon conviction, the Court may deprive the offender of parental power and disqualify him from
being the guardian or curator of any person for the time prescribed by Section 31 (4) of this Code. --- -
----

n,:...iENceoe i.,. ~~UIUOU( 1£0:ill~ill~T O!MaAl

l!<>'ICIO~ '1<:alfl ll<l~IAl'f fl ' " eor1eC!~TIFIEE CON RME136

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 SECTION 357: Abuse in respect of Bride-price

' Whoever

a) receives from a third party the whole or any part of a bride-price for the promise 1n marriage of a
woman already married or bound by a betrothal not yet broken off ; or

b) receives the whole or any part of a bride-price before refund to any earlier suitor; or

c) receives without any right to it the whole or any part of a bride-price for the marriage of a woman ;
or

d) demands the whole or any part of an excessive bride-price for the marriage of a girl over 21
(twenty-one) years of age or of a widow or divorced woman; or

e) for want of compliance with his excessive demands for bride-price for the marriage of a girl under
the age of 21 (twenty-one), and for no other reason, obstructs her marriage; or

f) receives as heir any such consideration promised to the person from whom he inherits

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years or with fine of from CFAF 5
000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand) or with both such imprisonment and
fine.

(2) Time shall begin to run again for prosecution on payment of the bride price or of any instalment.

SECTION 358- Desertion

(1) Any spouse or parent who without just cause evades whether by desertion of the family home or
otherwise howsoever, the whole or any part of his moral or material obligations towards his spouse or
children shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 1 (one) year or with fine of
from CFAF 5 000 (five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) Where a spouse alone has been deserted, no prosecution may be commenced without his or her
complaint.

(3) The same punishment shall apply to a guardian or person responsible by custom who evades his
obligations by law or custom towards any child in his custody.

?RESIDENCE OElAREPUBUO~UE SECJIETARIAI G81EJW.

sn•VlCfoUBOilfst I.EGlSLATlfE'T R iA.."El 137

COPIECERTIFIEE CO
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 (4) Upon conviction, the Court may order the forfeitures described in Section 30 of this Code,
disqualify the offender from being guardian or curator of any child for the time fixed by Section 31
(4), and for the same period deprive him of parental power in respect of any one or more of his
children.

(5) Where the person who received payment of the whole or a part of the bride-price is accessory to a
wife's offence, he shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 1 (one) year and
with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

SECTION 358-1: Eviction from the Matrimonial Home

(1) The spouse who, outside any judicial proceedings and without a valid reason, evicts the other from
the matrimonial home shall be punished with imprisonment for from 3 (three) months to 1 (one) year
and with fine of from CFAF 50 000 (fifty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) The penalty shall be imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 5 (five) years where:

a) the victim is a pregnant woman ;

b) the eviction is accompanied or preceded by physical or psychological violence, confiscation or

destruction of the personal effects of the victim ; or

c) the eviction is caused by a person other than the spouse of the victim.

SECTION 359: Bigamy

(1 )Whoever:

a) being polygamous contracts a monogamous marriage before the dissolution of all previous
marriages; or

b) being bound by an undertaking of monogamy contracts any marriage before dissolution of any
previous marriage; or

c) being married under the codified law contracts any marriage before dissolution of that former
marriage

shall be punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) months to 2 (two) years and with fine of from
CFAF 25 000 (twenty-five thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand}.

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(2) The burden of proving dissolution of any previous marriage s'iall fall on the accused

SECTION 360: Incest

(1) Without prejudice to the penalties prescribed by Sections 346 (3) and 347 (1 ), whoever has sexual
intercourse with:

a) any legitimate or natural ascendant or descendant in the direct line without limitation as to degree;
or

b) his brother or sister, whether legitimate or natural, and whether of the whole or of the half-blood
shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 3 (three) years and with fine of from CFAF
20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand).

(2) Save in case of notorious concubinage or of incestuous marriage no prosecution may be

commenced without the complaint of a relative by blood in whatever degree.

SECTION 361 : Adultery

(1) A woman who, being married, has sexual intercourse with a man other than her husband shall be
punished with imprisonment for from 2 (two) to 6 (six) months or with fine of from CFAF 25 000
(twenty-five thousand) to CFAF 100 000 (one hundred thousand).

(2) A husband who has sexual intercourse with a woman other than his wife or wives shall be
punished as provided in Subsection 1 above.

However, the burden of proof of the existence of a polygamous union shall lie with the husband.

(3) No prosecution may be commenced without the complaint of the wronged spouse.

(4) The connivance or condonation of the wronged spouse shall bar the commencement or
continuation of any prosecution.

(4)Consent by the wronged spouse to resume cohabitation shall put an end to the effects of conviction.

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?~:5tDcNCEOf lA REPUI LIOUE S!CRElARlA! C!+8Al

mv:c, :u ACHIEl lfGISIA"' El ·~ COPlf CERTIFIEE CON

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 PART IV SIMPLE OFFENCES

SECTION 362 to 370 : The provisions of Section 362 to 370 which define offences shall be laid
down by regulation.

PARTV TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 371 :

(1) All previous provisions repugnant hereto and having the same objective are hereby repealed.

(2) However, felonies, misdemeanours, or simple offence committed and previously prosecuted prior
to the entry into force of this Law shall remain subject to the provisions of Law No. 65/LF/24 of 12
November1965 and No 67/LF/1 of 12 June 1967, until the final judicial decision on related matters.

SECTION 372: This law shall be registered, and published in the Official Gazette in English and
French.

BIYA

THE REPUBLIC

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