In N’Djamena, a landmark legal battle is unfolding as a man faces prosecution for allegedly selling the same plot of land to multiple buyers while issuing death threats. The High Court is now deliberating on charges of fraud and illegal possession.
The defendant is accused of collecting substantial sums from several individuals, with transaction amounts ranging from 52 million to 99.5 million West African CFA francs. This unprecedented case has drawn intense scrutiny from both legal teams and the public, as the courtroom exchanges became particularly heated during a four-hour hearing.
The defense team argues that their client was unlawfully detained for over three months by intelligence services before being formally presented to the judicial system. They maintain that the land in question rightfully belongs to their client, who acts as a representative for his brothers, and that the property is not subject to any legal disputes. According to their account, the defendant’s uncle allegedly manipulated other family members into laying claim to the deceased brother’s estate, prompting the buyers to demand refunds.
The civil party’s legal representatives have characterized the defendant’s actions as fraudulent, a claim the defense vehemently disputes. They contend that no property was transferred fraudulently and that the relevant articles of the Chadian penal code (213 and 214) do not apply in this instance. Meanwhile, the prosecution has urged the court to convict the defendant, emphasizing that soliciting large sums from multiple parties constitutes a criminal offense, and has proposed a fine of 500,000 West African CFA francs.
As both sides present their arguments, the judges are under significant pressure to deliver a ruling. Notably, an identical hearing took place on June 1st, but the court has since deferred the case for further deliberation. In the interim, the defendant remains in custody at the Klessoum detention facility.
