A N’Djamena courtroom witnessed intense legal battles as a man faces charges for allegedly selling the same property to multiple buyers while threatening their lives. The case, now under judicial review, centers on accusations of fraud and illegal land possession.

The accused, a local resident, is alleged to have collected payments ranging from 52 million to 99.5 million CFA francs from several individuals who believed they had purchased legitimate titles to the land. The court session lasted over four hours, exposing conflicting testimonies and legal arguments.

legal showdown over disputed property rights

During the proceedings, the defense team argued that their client had been unlawfully detained by intelligence services for over three months prior to formal charges—a violation of Chad’s legal procedures. They maintained that the land rightfully belongs to their client, who acts on behalf of his brothers, and that no fraudulent transaction occurred.

Contrarily, the plaintiff’s legal representatives portrayed the accused’s actions as deliberate fraud, demanding full reimbursement of the payments made by their clients along with compensation for damages. They emphasized that the defendant’s uncle allegedly manipulated family members to stake a false claim on the deceased brother’s property, triggering the series of fraudulent sales.

court weighs evidence amid intense legal pressure

The prosecution, however, insisted that the defendant’s act of collecting substantial sums from multiple buyers constitutes a clear violation of Chad’s penal code. They cited articles 213 and 214, arguing that such conduct meets the legal definition of fraud. The prosecutor sought a 500,000 CFA francs fine and a conviction. Both sides presented compelling arguments, leaving the judges to deliberate on a case with high stakes for all involved.

This is not the first hearing in this contentious case. A similar session took place on June 1st, after which the tribunal postponed the verdict. In the interim, the accused remains detained at the Klessoum correctional facility.