A high-stakes legal battle unfolded at the High Court of N’Djamena during a marathon session lasting over four hours. The case involves a man accused of orchestrating a massive real estate fraud by allegedly selling a single plot of land to various buyers. Beyond the financial allegations, the defendant is also facing charges related to death threats.
Allegations of multi-million franc fraud
The case file details how the accused reportedly collected substantial sums from several individuals, with payments ranging from 52 million to 99.5 million francs CFA. During the proceedings, heated exchanges occurred between the defense team and the lawyers representing the civil parties. The victims’ legal counsel is demanding the full reimbursement of all funds paid, along with additional damages for the prejudice suffered.
Defense claims illegal detention and family dispute
Lawyers for the accused argued that the legal process has been flawed from the start. They revealed that their client was held in custody by intelligence services for over three months before being formally charged, a delay they described as unlawful. The defense maintains that the property in question is not under dispute and belongs to the defendant’s family, whom he represents.
According to the defense’s narrative, a paternal uncle allegedly manipulated family members to claim the estate of his deceased brother. This internal conflict is what reportedly triggered the wave of complaints from buyers seeking their money back. They contend that the fraud charges under Articles 213 and 214 of the Tchad penal code are inapplicable, as no property was obtained through fraudulent means.
Prosecution seeks conviction
The public prosecutor has taken a firm stance, requesting that the court convict the man for the alleged offenses. The prosecution emphasized that receiving large sums of money from multiple parties for the same asset constitutes a clear criminal infraction. A fine of 500,000 francs CFA has been recommended in addition to the sentencing.
With both sides putting significant pressure on the bench, the court has adjourned to deliberate on the final verdict. This follows a similar hearing that took place earlier in the month. For now, the defendant remains incarcerated at the Klessoum detention center awaiting the court’s decision.
