Police in Ivory Coast have arrested a businessman accused of using a fake court document to order the demolition of a large residential area in Abidjan, leaving thousands of people homeless.
The case has sparked widespread outrage since June 3, when bulldozers demolished part of the Koumassi Camp neighborhood near the city center. The area was reduced to rubble, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Authorities say the demolition was not authorized by the government. Instead, they allege that a private individual acted without legal authority and falsely claimed to have a court order permitting the operation.
The suspect, 76-year-old businessman Jacques Alloui Brou, was arrested in the Port-Bouet district of Abidjan. Before his arrest, Brou appeared in a video posted on Facebook claiming responsibility for the demolitions and stating that he possessed a court ruling authorizing the action.
However, Abidjan public prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone said the document presented by Brou did not grant permission for any buildings to be demolished. Following the discovery, authorities launched an investigation and issued a warrant for his arrest.
Prosecutors say the case may involve several criminal offences, including disturbing public order, assault, and the deliberate destruction of property. If convicted, Brou could face up to five years in prison.
For years, authorities in Abidjan have carried out urban renewal and clean-up projects aimed at removing illegal settlements and improving public safety. However, officials insist that the Koumassi Camp demolitions were not part of any government-approved operation.
Thousands of affected residents are still without permanent housing, and reports indicate that no official rehousing plan has yet been provided for those who lost their homes.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the controversial demolition.
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