The verdict has been handed down at the Criminal, Economic and Financial Division of Abidjan. Abdoulaye Wangué , a Malian national, has been found guilty of fraud, criminal association and money laundering in a land dispute case opposing the defendants to Imam Touré .

A conviction accompanied by heavy penalties

The court was particularly severe, going beyond the prosecution's request (which was for a 5-year sentence). The penalties imposed on Abdoulaye Wangué include:

1. 7 years in prison ;
2. A fine of 306 million FCFA ;
3. 206 million FCFA in damages to be paid to the plaintiff;
4. The confiscation of his property located in the "Black Market" of Adjamé.

Conversely, his co-defendant, businessman Bakayoko Lassina , was completely exonerated and acquitted by the court.

Genesis of the case: A land dispute that went wrong

It all began in Abobo-Baoulé , where Imam Touré owned a plot of land that was the subject of a legal dispute before the Council of State. To secure his rights, the imam sought assistance, which led him to sign a collaboration agreement with Wangué and Bakayoko.

When the Council of State ultimately ruled in favor of the imam, Abdoulaye Wangué allegedly took control of the case abusively. According to the prosecution:

1. He allegedly demanded reimbursement of fictitious expenses amounting to 87 million FCFA .
2. In total, 106 million FCFA was allegedly extorted from the victim based on false promises and fraudulent maneuvers.

"Honor restored"

For Imam Touré, this legal battle was not merely financial. In court, he expressed feeling "dispossessed and humiliated." By taking legal action, he sought above all to clear his name in the eyes of those he considered his partners.

Despite announcing his intention to appeal, Abdoulaye Wangué was taken directly back to the Abidjan penitentiary to serve his sentence.