The Economic and Financial Criminal Court (PPEF) of Abidjan-Cocody was the scene of a sensational trial this Thursday, February 19, 2026. YF , a former agent of the legal department of the Atlantic Bank of Ivory Coast (BACI), appeared for having orchestrated a massive embezzlement of funds from inheritance accounts.

A scathing indictment: "The rest of the dead disturbed"

The public prosecutor did not mince words in the face of the seriousness of the acts. Accusing the defendant of preying on the resources of the most vulnerable—widows and orphans—he requested an exemplary sentence.

1. 7 years in prison ;
2. 600 million FCFA fine ;
3. Deprivation of civic rights and additional penalties.

"He tampers with documents to get money from the dead," the prosecutor's office insisted, highlighting the cynicism of the fraud.

The "modus operandi": system vulnerabilities and forged signatures

In court, YF did not deny the facts. His system relied on the methodical exploitation of weaknesses in BACI's internal controls. To embezzle the heirs' money, the agent proceeded as follows:

1. Imitation of the signatures of his superiors.
2. Change of beneficiaries : he was writing memos on behalf of third-party merchants rather than the rightful beneficiaries.
3. Fee manipulation : he admitted to inflating bank commissions from 2.2% to 5% with complete impunity.

The defendant admitted to pocketing 227 million FCFA through this scheme, using 120 million to purchase two luxury vehicles. However, the bank's internal audit revealed a much larger loss, amounting to 446,430,186 FCFA .

Between confession and plea for clemency

"I saw a flaw and I was trapped by temptation," YF defended himself, while admitting that he had managed to get a check for one billion FCFA validated without any prior verification.

The defense, for its part, attempted to soften the image of the accused. His lawyer pleaded "human fragility," presenting his client as an eldest son who initially wanted to expedite the cases of clients struggling to gather their administrative documents before succumbing to the lure of easy money.

Issues and Verdict

This case highlights significant shortcomings in the security protocols of Ivorian banks regarding the handling of estates. The court's final decision is expected on March 12, 2026 .