The Court of First Instance in Bouna handed down a heavy sentence to a 22-year-old man for breach of trust. Named Sié Arnaud Sib, the accused was sentenced to five years in prison and fined after embezzling three million (3,000,000) CFA francs belonging to his employer.

The verdict, delivered on Monday, November 10, 2025, follows a case dating back to August 16, 2025. Sié Arnaud Sib, residing in Bondoukou and father of one child, had been mandated by his boss, a trader based in Sorobango, to go to Tambi, near Bondoukou, and purchase goods there.

However, the young man had taken advantage of the mission to disappear, taking with him all the funds entrusted to him. Despite the search conducted by the criminal police following the employer's complaint, the fugitive remained at large for nearly three months.

It was only later that he was spotted by an acquaintance of his boss in the town of Bouna. Immediately alerted, the police arrested him and brought him before the prosecutor.

In court, Sié Arnaud Sib admitted to the charges. He explained that he had squandered the entire sum on gambling and online betting, believing he could multiply the money. However, all his attempts ended in failure, leaving him penniless.

Judging the act to be premeditated and serious, the court not only imposed a sentence of five years imprisonment, but also a fine of 300,000 CFA francs, along with the obligation to fully reimburse the three million CFA francs embezzled from the victim.