Moroccan Real Estate Fraud Trial: Bab Darna CEO’s Verdict Delayed Until May 18

A brief hearing. At the request of the defense of Mohamed El Ouardi, CEO of Bab Darna, the criminal chamber in charge of financial crimes at the Casablanca Court of Appeal has postponed the trial to May 18, reports Le360. This postponement will allow the lawyers of the main accused in the Bab Darna case to prepare their pleadings. Their client is being prosecuted for fraud, issuing checks without provision, non-execution of a contract, participation and complicity in the falsification of official documents, it is specified.

The Bab Darna real estate group had marketed nearly a dozen fictitious real estate projects, of all standings, between 2017 and 2018 without owning the slightest land where the buildings would be erected. In total, more than 1,200 reservists were defrauded. In addition to Mohamed El Ouardi, the general manager, O.E.B, the commercial director, H.E.B, the administrative and financial director, A.A, the technical director, F.O, the accountant, M.T, and a notary, M.M. are also being prosecuted under arrest in this scam estimated at more than 400 million dirhams. The wife of the CEO, Mohamed El Ouardi, is also facing justice. She was arrested on April 14.