SECTION 357 — Abuse in respect of Bride-price

(1) Whoever a) receives from a third party the whole or any part of a bride-price for the promise in 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.