Fake water treatment project: The PJF fines Kouamé Philippe Delor 1.96 billion CFA francs

The trial chamber of the Financial Judicial Pool (PJF), ruling in correctional matters, delivered its verdict on August 20, 2026, in the case of the fake water treatment project which had caused an Ivorian religious community to lose more than 655 million CFA francs.

Kouamé Philippe Delor, a 37-year-old Ivorian economist, was found guilty of forgery and use of forged administrative and banking documents, fraud, and money laundering. The court sentenced him to three years in prison, to be served concurrently, and a fine of 1,966,581,684 CFA francs.

The case dates back to 2020 in Abidjan. Kouamé Philippe Delor met Pastor Kouamé André Romaric Amon while experiencing health problems. The pastor provided financial support and covered part of his medical expenses. After his recovery, Kouamé Philippe Delor presented his benefactor with an ambitious wastewater treatment project, intended for deployment in Senegal as part of the major construction projects in Diamniadio. He promised the pastor a significant role in the future company, AKAR GROUP.

Convinced of its value, Kouamé André Romaric Amon gradually mobilized relatives, followers, and members of his community. Dozens of people invested in the project, some resorting to bank loans, credit, or the sale of personal property.

A total of 655,527,228 CFA francs were transferred between 2020 and 2025. However, the announced work never began. Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) uncovered several forged documents intended to lend credibility to the project. The NINEA number used for AKAR GROUP had been falsified, as had bank statements attributed to, among others, SGS and Ecobank.

Arrested at the Keur Ayip border post while attempting to leave Senegalese territory, Kouamé Philippe Delor eventually confessed. He admitted to receiving the funds, using some of them for personal purposes, and continuing to solicit money even though he had known since 2023 that the project could no longer be carried out.

700 million CFA francs awarded to the plaintiff

Beyond the criminal penalty, the court also ruled on civil damages. Accepting Kouamé André Romaric Amon's claim for damages, the court awarded him 700 million CFA francs, covering all causes of harm. Kouamé Philippe Delor was ordered to pay this sum.

The judge also ordered the confiscation of the seized goods for the benefit of the State. These include a Huawei phone, a 75-inch Samsung television, a 100-inch Hisense television, an eight-seater living room set, a stove, a decorative artwork, a Samsung air conditioner, a dining table, and a refrigerator.

Bank assets were also confiscated.

The court also ordered the confiscation of all funds found in the bank accounts identified in the case, including an account at SGBKS and another at UBA in the name of the company Acap. The court ordered the seizure of these assets for transfer to the Treasury, as well as the provisional enforcement of its decision. Kouamé Philippe Delor was also ordered to pay court costs.