At the N’Djamena Court of First Instance, a landmark case unfolded this week as a local man stood trial for allegedly selling a single plot of land to multiple buyers while facing charges of fraud and illegal detention.
Chad’s court examines disputed land sale allegations
The defendant, whose identity remains undisclosed, is accused of collecting significant sums ranging from 52 million to 99.5 million CFA francs from several individuals. The prosecution argues that such actions constitute fraud, pointing to clear violations of Chad’s Penal Code.
During the four-hour hearing, tensions escalated between the defense team and civil plaintiffs’ lawyers. The latter are demanding full reimbursement of payments made by their clients, along with compensation for damages.
defense challenges legality of detention and land ownership
The defense argued that their client was unlawfully held in custody by intelligence services for over three months before being formally charged. They further claimed the disputed land rightfully belongs to their client, acting on behalf of his brothers, and is not subject to any legal disputes. According to their version of events, a family dispute involving a deceased uncle’s estate may have led to confusion among potential buyers.
Civil lawyers dismissed the defense’s arguments, labeling the defendant’s actions as outright fraud. They emphasized that transferring ownership of a non-existent property to multiple parties is a criminal act under Chad’s legal framework.
The prosecutor demanded a conviction, citing the act of collecting large sums from multiple individuals as a clear violation. The prosecution also requested a 500,000 CFA franc fine.
judicial deliberation underway
Following heated exchanges, the court adjourned the case for further deliberation. The defendant remains in custody at Klessoum prison pending the final verdict. This is not the first time this case has come before the judiciary—similar proceedings were held on June 1, further delaying justice for all parties involved.
