15 Jours de Prison pour une Simple Tôle : Le Faux Pas d'un Ferrailleur à Abidjan
The Abidjan-Plateau court handed down a judgment that underscores the strictness of the law in the face of even the smallest theft. On Tuesday, October 4, 2025, S. Hamed , a 28-year-old Nigerian man, appeared before the judges for stealing a single sheet of corrugated iron.
S. Hamed pleaded guilty to the charges, while denying that he was a thief. He described himself as a " gâté-gâté ," a local term for a scrap metal dealer or recycler.
His business consists of collecting discarded or unusable items that residents wish to throw away. He collects them, sometimes buys them at low prices, refurbishes them, and then resells them.
According to his statement, on the day of the incident in Abidjan, he simply picked up the sheet of corrugated iron lying on the ground, thinking it had been abandoned by its owner. It was while taking possession of it that he was apprehended.
The judge acknowledged the circumstances but reminded the defendant of the need to seek permission before taking any property, even if it appears discarded. After apologizing, S. Hamed was nevertheless sentenced to fifteen (15) days in prison .
This verdict serves as a reminder of a fundamental principle: the intention to avoid causing harm does not exempt one from respecting the property of others. The moral of the story is clear: it is imperative to obtain permission before taking anything that does not belong to you.
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