The Guinean court has heard the case of Mandian Sidibé, the former director-general of the Office guinéen de publicité (OGP), who is facing accusations related to the management of the organization. The prosecution and defense presented divergent views on the case, which involves a sum of 78 billion francs guinéens. The court has adjourned the case to December 2, 2026, to allow for further deliberation.
According to Me Aimé Christophe Labilé Koné, the lawyer representing the State, the hearing revealed irregularities in the management of the OGP, particularly in the areas of payroll and public procurement. The lawyer emphasized that the OGP, as a commercial company, must be able to justify its revenues, expenses, and any profits distributed to its sole shareholder, the Guinean State.
The prosecution's argument centers on the significant variations in the OGP's payroll and the irregularities in public procurement processes. Me Koné stated that out of 108 billion francs guinéens, 52 billion were allocated to payroll, raising questions about the company's financial management. The prosecution intends to further investigate the OGP's revenues, expenses, and communication costs.
In contrast, Mandian Sidibé's defense team, led by Me Sékou Traoré, disputes the accusations, arguing that the evidence against their client is unfounded. The defense claims that the report by the Inspection générale de l'État (IGE) is irregular, as it was not submitted to the contradictory principle, with Mandian Sidibé not being invited to present his version of events before its establishment.
The defense also questions the legal basis of the accusations, citing the OGP's status as a société anonyme governed by the OHADA Act. Me Traoré pointed out that the company's financial statements for 2022 and 2023 were certified by a commissaire aux comptes and transmitted to the Cour des comptes, which found no incriminating evidence.
The case has been adjourned to December 2, 2026, to allow for the appearance of the two other defendants and to continue the deliberations. The prosecution and defense will continue to present their arguments, and the court will review the evidence to determine the validity of the accusations against Mandian Sidibé and the other defendants.
The case has garnered significant attention in Guinea, with many stakeholders interested in the outcome. The Guinean State is seeking accountability for the alleged mismanagement of the OGP, while Mandian Sidibé's defense team is pushing for a thorough examination of the evidence. The court's decision will have implications for the management of state-owned enterprises in Guinea.
Key points
- The Guinean court has adjourned the case of Mandian Sidibé to December 2, 2026.
- The prosecution and defense have presented divergent views on the case, which involves a sum of 78 billion francs guinéens.
- The court's decision will have implications for the management of state-owned enterprises in Guinea.
