The Ivorian public administration is once again rocked by a case of financial malfeasance. The former Executive Secretary of the National Tourism Council (CNT) is now under investigation by the Criminal, Economic and Financial Unit (PPEF) . Imprisoned since December 6, 2024, he faces serious charges: embezzlement of public funds, corruption, money laundering, and forgery.

A hidden financial mechanism

At the heart of the case is an opaque financial scheme involving nine defendants, three of whom are currently fugitives. The court proceedings reveal a management system that completely bypassed legal channels for public spending.

The alleged modus operandi is astonishing:

1. The advance of funds: The former leader allegedly requested 320 million FCFA in cash from an economic operator, officially to equip the offices of the CNT.
2. Overbilling: In exchange for this cash, fictitious purchase and delivery orders worth 641 million FCFA were issued, thus doubling the investment at the expense of the Public Treasury.
3. The confession: Before the judges, the defendant admitted to having circumvented the financial controller's approval, justifying these maneuvers by recurring "cash flow problems".

Testimonies and unpaid debts are piling up.

The trial took a damning turn with the testimony of the businessman's daughter. She confirmed the handover of 320 million FCFA in cash in exchange for the promise of a swift state payment of 641 million FCFA. A year later, with the state having made no payment, the former Executive Secretary allegedly began repaying the debt from his own funds, to the tune of 180 million FCFA, leaving a balance of 120 million.

Other service providers, now bankrupt, have joined the proceedings:

1. Office supplies: 68.5 million FCFA of unpaid consumables.
2. Computer consumables: 13.5 million FCFA worth of ink cartridges delivered but never paid for.

Courtroom incident: Tensions escalated when a relative of a supplier attempted to illegally intervene from the courtroom to assist him during his hearing. He was immediately removed and arrested by the police.

Towards new revelations?

The court and state lawyers are now focused on uncovering the systematic violation of public procurement rules. Between falsified documents and parallel channels, the scale of the system could prove to be more extensive than anticipated.

The trial has been postponed until June 1, 2026. This date will mark a crucial step in determining each person's responsibilities in what appears to be an organized plundering of the NTC's resources.