XALIMANEWS: Le commandant Ibrahima Chimère Barro, chef de corps de la musique principale des armées, risque une lourde peine dans une affaire présumée de contrefaçon de signes monétaires portant sur près d’un milliard de francs CFA en « billets noirs ».
Called to the bar of the Pikine-Guédiawaye Criminal Court, the officer faces ten years in prison as well as a fine of 20 million CFA francs, the penalty requested by the prosecution against him and his three co-defendants. The information was reported by the daily L’Observateur, present at the hearing.
A case dating back to 2023
According to the prosecution, the case dates back to 2023 following a gendarmerie operation carried out in Keur Massar. Investigators suspect the existence of a structured network specializing in the trafficking of “black notes”.
According to the prosecution, Commander Barro would be the holder of the stock of counterfeit notes, while his co-defendants would have played different roles in the network. Hubert Assogba would have served as an intermediary and canvasser, while Mbacké Sow Ndiaye, student, and Mamadou Fatou Ndiaye, postal agent, would have been responsible for washing and disposing of the counterfeit notes.
During the preliminary investigation, the gendarmes notably seized a bag containing material deemed compromising.
The defendants reject the accusations
However, on the stand, the four defendants categorically rejected the facts with which they are accused. Commander Barro even retracted his statements made during the investigation.
“I deny the facts. I told this story because a superior had asked me to acknowledge the facts by telling me that the matter would be resolved in two weeks,” he declared in court.
According to his new version, he was simply going to Keur Massar after picking up two hitchhikers when he was arrested by the gendarmes.
For his part, Hubert Assogba also contested any involvement in a counterfeiting network, claiming that he had gone to Camp Leclerc only for a matter related to wind instruments.
A defense that speaks of an “empty file”
Defense lawyers denounce a case without solid evidence, citing in particular the absence of seals presented in court and of technical expertise on the supposed black notes.
“Without seals, the trial is nipped in the bud,” argued one of the defendants’ counsel.
After the prosecution’s requisitions, the court decided to put the case under advisement. The verdict is expected on April 15.
