Cotonou’s Court of First Instance has begun hearings in a high-profile case involving the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of three million CFA francs from the account of a deceased individual.
The accused are two employees of the bank in question: a cashier currently under committal and her branch manager.
The disputed transaction reportedly occurred in 2023, despite the account holder having passed away in 2021.
The account holder’s children discovered the irregularity and alerted the bank, prompting an internal audit that concluded the signature authorizing the withdrawal had been forged.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the cashier admitted she could not recall which customer received the funds. She claimed the withdrawal was executed at the request of a colleague, whose identity she could not remember.
The branch manager testified that she approves all disbursement transactions, but that her checks are limited to verifying the signature and confirming the availability of funds.
She stated that, at the time of the transaction, the documents presented appeared valid.
The bank has filed a civil suit, maintaining that the signature was falsified and challenging the legitimacy of the withdrawal.
In response, the cashier’s legal counsel requested her provisional release on the condition of a surety bond and deposit, the sum of which will be determined by the court.
The presiding judge, following the public prosecutor’s recommendation, adjourned the case to October 14, 2025, to review the request for provisional release and continue with the proceedings.
This case underscores ongoing concerns in Benin regarding financial oversight and the integrity of banking operations, particularly in transactions involving accounts of deceased clients. The trial is expected to attract significant attention, given the involvement of senior bank personnel and the apparent breach of both legal and ethical banking standards.
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