Idriss Youssouf Boy, the former chief of staff to the late President Idriss Deby Itno, appeared in court in Ndjamena today, facing charges of influence peddling and corruption, specifically accused of embezzling 11 billion CFA francs.
Detained since February in the premises of the intelligence services, Idriss Youssouf Boy, a close confidant and former civilian chief of staff to the late President, stood before the judges of the Ndjamena High Court. He faces a range of serious charges, including influence peddling, abuse of office, fraud, and both passive and active corruption. He is being tried alongside three co-defendants before the special criminal chamber of the Ndjamena High Court.
The charges stem from accusations made by businessman About Hassan Bouder, a former resident of Amdjarass, who alleges that Idriss Youssouf Boy misappropriated 11 billion CFA francs from him. Bouder claims that Boy asserted he was acting under orders from President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. However, according to the police report of About Hassan Bouder’s hearing, President Deby Itno denies these claims.
The funds in question were reportedly part of a disbursement from the public treasury intended to finance a project overseen by About Hassan Bouder’s company.
This trial marks the second time that Idriss Youssouf Boy, a former close aide to President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has been implicated in a major financial scandal. In 2022, he was at the center of controversy when it was revealed he was involved in the embezzlement of 13 billion CFA francs from the Chadian Hydrocarbons Company (SHT). This scandal resulted in his removal from his position as the President’s Private Secretary and a period of detention. He was subsequently “pardoned,” as detailed in his brother, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s autobiography, “From Bedouin to President.”
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