Bobo-dioulasso: The correctional chamber of the High Court (TGI) of Bobo-Dioulasso relinquished jurisdiction this Friday over the case involving Lionel Bilgo and Vincent de Paul Kabor©, in favor of the economic and financial division (ECOFI), which will sit on September 21, 2026. The defendants remain in custody.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the trial was originally scheduled for September 4, 2026, but was postponed to this Friday, September 18. During the hearing, a debate arose regarding the jurisdiction of the criminal court to hear the money laundering case.

The public prosecutor's office had asked the court to relinquish jurisdiction to the economic and financial division, citing in particular alleged money laundering activities which, according to them, fall under the jurisdiction of the ECOFI division.

The defense counsel opposed this request, arguing that the correctional chamber of the Bobo-Dioulasso High Court has jurisdiction to hear the money laundering case. One of Lionel Bilgo's advisors had notably argued that the minutes already mentioned the money laundering facts.

The criminal court noted the connection between the facts and the indivisibility of the alleged offenses. It therefore decided to relinquish jurisdiction over the case and refer it to the ECOFI division. The defense also pointed out that Lionel Bilgo has been in custody since August 28, 2026, and argued for a review of the case. The defendants remain in custody pending the next hearing.