The prosecution has come down hard on the former executive secretary of the National Tourism Council (CNT), Aphing Kouassi N'dri. Prosecuted alongside eight co-defendants for serious financial offenses, he faces 10 years in prison and a fine of 500 million CFA francs . The final verdict is expected on July 14, 2026 .

A network of financial malfeasance

Arrested in December 2024, the former leader is at the center of a vast corruption case. The charges brought by the public prosecutor are serious:

1. Embezzlement of public funds and complicity;
2. Forgery and use of forged documents in private, commercial or banking documents;
3. Fraud and money laundering.

The sentences requested for the other defendants are also severe:

1. The technical advisor of the former official: 10 years in prison and a fine of 150 million FCFA.
2. Two defendants on the run ( Diarra Raja wife of Najem and Karamoko Hamed Yaya ): Subject to an arrest warrant, they risk 10 years in prison and a fine of 50 million FCFA each.
3. The other accomplices: Sentences ranging from 36 months in prison and fines of 10 to 150 million FCFA (according to information from journalist Fernand Dédeh).

The Ivorian state demands exemplary behavior

For the plaintiffs, the stakes go beyond the purely legal realm. Engaged in a struggle to be removed from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "grey list," Côte d'Ivoire wants to send a strong message. The state's lawyer emphasized the economic damage and the devastating impact of corruption on the country's international reputation.

The defense pleads administrative chaos

Faced with the accusations, the defense lawyers reject any criminal intent and cite systemic failures:

1. A budget delay: Appointed in February 2020, Aphing Kouassi N'dri reportedly only received notification of his budget in 2021, forcing the CNT to operate without official resources for a year.
2. Crisis management: The defense maintains that the funds requested from suppliers were solely intended to ensure the continuity of public service.

Contesting the existence of any actual harm to the state, the defense requests the dismissal of the charges and refuses payment of the 500 million FCFA claimed in damages. The court will render its decision on July 14.