The trial of former Burkinabé minister Wendkouni Joël Lionel Bilgo and his co-defendant Vincent de Paul Kaboré took a new turn on September 21, 2026, at the Economic and Financial Pole (ECOFI) of the Bobo-Dioulasso High Court. The court was asked to rule on several procedural matters raised by the defense. The ECOFI pole eventually rejected the exception of nullity of the second arrest warrant and the request for provisional release filed on behalf of the two defendants. The case was adjourned until October 5, 2026.
The case involves Lionel Bilgo, a former minister who served from January to September 2022, and Vincent de Paul Kaboré, executive director of the Traoré and Brothers Real Estate Company (SITRAF). They are initially charged with "illegal exercise of land promotion activities" and "advertising of real estate promotion activities without prior authorization." Complementary investigations revealed a new offense of money laundering, leading the Bobo-Dioulasso High Court to refer the case to the ECOFI pole on September 18, 2026.
During the hearing, the defense argued that it was not opportune for the ECOFI pole to retain the case while the appeal against the decision to refer the case to the ECOFI pole had not yet been decided. The defense distinguished between the money laundering charges and the initial offenses. According to one of the lawyers, these are two separate sets of facts. The lawyer believed that the ECOFI pole could handle the money laundering aspect, while the appeal court still had to rule on the decision to refer the other offenses.
The defense also requested the provisional release of the two defendants. One of the lawyers contested the need for a second arrest warrant, arguing that there was no reason to issue a second warrant against the defendants. The lawyer recalled the principle that freedom is the rule and detention the exception. The defense argued that the investigation was complete, and its clients could no longer destroy evidence or hinder investigations.
The defense also claimed that Lionel Bilgo and Vincent de Paul Kaboré did not present a risk of absconding and were at the disposal of the justice system. The lawyer offered that his clients would be willing to undergo regular checks if the court required it. The defense requested the provisional release of Lionel Bilgo and Vincent de Paul Kaboré, possibly subject to judicial supervision.
After hearing the parties, the ECOFI pole delivered its decision. The court rejected the exception of nullity of the second arrest warrant issued against the two defendants. The request to challenge the validity of this warrant was not retained. The ECOFI pole also rejected the request for provisional release filed by the defense. Lionel Bilgo and Vincent de Paul Kaboré remain detained pending further proceedings.
The case was adjourned until October 5, 2026, for further proceedings. The ECOFI pole's decision marks a new development in a case that has been ongoing since the defendants' initial arrest. The trial will continue on the scheduled date, with the court expected to rule on the merits of the case.
Key points
- The Burkinabé court rejected a request for provisional release for former minister Lionel Bilgo and his co-defendant Vincent de Paul Kaboré.
- The case involves charges of "illegal exercise of land promotion activities," "advertising of real estate promotion activities without prior authorization," and money laundering.
- The trial has been adjourned until October 5, 2026, for further proceedings.
