The verdict was handed down this Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Economic and Financial Criminal Court in Abidjan in the case of the disappearance of more than 1.6 billion CFA francs from the coffers of Société Générale Côte d'Ivoire. Following several hearings, the court found the eight defendants guilty , handing down heavy prison sentences and particularly high fines.

At the heart of this financial scandal is a former bank employee responsible for managing accounts subject to court-ordered seizures. According to evidence presented in court, she allegedly exploited her position to make fraudulent transfers over several years , notably transferring funds to relatives, including her partner and a friend.

The investigation revealed that the embezzlement scheme had been running for nearly five years. The stolen funds were allegedly transferred gradually to different accounts, allowing the fraudulent transactions to be concealed for an extended period.

As the investigation unfolded, other individuals were implicated in this vast embezzlement and money laundering network. Among them was a former agent who had succeeded the main defendant in the department in question. He allegedly used a similar method to embezzle significant sums of money before fleeing.

Given the seriousness of the offenses, the court handed down prison sentences ranging from several years to twenty years , depending on the defendants' level of involvement. The sentences also included fines ranging from several hundred million to several billion CFA francs , as well as bans on practicing certain professions.

In this case, an arrest warrant has been maintained against one of the main defendants, who is currently a fugitive abroad. Judicial authorities are continuing the necessary steps to secure his arrest.

This case, which has garnered significant public attention, illustrates the extent of the risks associated with internal fraud within financial institutions. The verdict handed down by the Economic and Financial Criminal Division is seen as a strong signal in the fight against economic crime and embezzlement in Côte d'Ivoire .

With these convictions, the Ivorian justice system intends to reiterate its determination to severely punish acts of fraud and money laundering, particularly when they involve leading financial institutions.