The Ivorian National Financial Prosecutor's Office has initiated a judicial investigation into Rita Djédjé, a company called Ivoire Challenge Corporation SARL, and several other individuals. The probe is related to an alleged embezzlement case involving over 320 million FCFA. According to authorities, the accused parties are suspected of swindling numerous individuals by offering land for sale that they did not own.
The case has garnered significant attention, with around 60 complaints filed by victims and several denunciations shared on social media. These complaints were centralized at the Economic and Financial Police Directorate. Preliminary investigations have revealed that Rita Djédjé and Ivoire Challenge Corporation SARL received substantial sums of money from multiple individuals, to whom they had offered land for sale.
To attract buyers, Rita Djédjé appeared in several videos alongside well-known personalities, including Sérey Dié, Apoutchou, and Adrienne Koutouan. These individuals are accused of using their fame to promote the real estate projects and reassure potential subscribers about their viability. Some people allegedly relayed these offers within WhatsApp groups and received money on behalf of Rita Djédjé.
Following the preliminary investigation, several individuals were brought before the justice system. A judicial investigation has been opened against Rita Djédjé, Ivoire Challenge Corporation SARL, and several others, including Jean Zahibo alias John Jay, Geoffroy Sérey Dié, Adrienne Koutouan, Stéphane Agbré alias Apoutchou National, Aristide Dali Dago alias Pantcho le gatair, Yeelen Virginie Kouamé alias Maa Bio, and Aboubacar Soumahoro alias Yaka Yaka de Paris.
The accused parties face charges of association of malefactors, embezzlement of cash through a public appeal for savings, abuse of trust, forgery, and use of forged administrative documents, as well as complicity in embezzlement and money laundering. These charges will need to be established during the judicial procedure. At this stage, the accused parties benefit from the presumption of innocence.
Due to the gravity of the alleged facts and the disturbance to public order, a detention warrant has been requested for Rita Djédjé. The National Financial Prosecutor ensures that all necessary steps are being taken to shed light on this case and determine the degree of responsibility of each accused party.
Beyond this case, the prosecutor's office aims to draw attention to the use of notoriety in promoting investment operations. The public is advised to exercise caution when dealing with investment projects promoted outside official advertising channels. Celebrities are also urged to be cautious when lending their image or audience to the promotion of investment projects on social media.
Key points
- The Ivorian authorities have launched a judicial investigation into Rita Djédjé and several others over alleged embezzlement of over 320 million FCFA.
- The accused parties, including celebrities Sérey Dié and Apoutchou, face charges of association of malefactors, embezzlement, and money laundering.
- The public is advised to exercise caution when dealing with investment projects promoted outside official channels.
