Investigation Launched Against Notary for Alleged Financial Misconduct
In a significant legal development, Abdel Rahim Belkahl, the investigating judge specializing in financial crimes at the Marrakech Court of Appeals, has announced the resumption of detailed investigations in September regarding a notary public suspected of involvement in fraud and breach of trust. The case revolves around a real estate transaction involving the sale of a plot of land in the winter district of the Gueliz area, valued at an astonishing 14 billion dirhams. The case has garnered considerable attention due to the substantial amount involved and the implications of such financial misconduct within the real estate sector.
Concurrent with the judicial investigations led by the financial crimes specialist, a judicial committee established under Law No. 32.09, which governs the notarial profession, has accepted an appeal filed by the accused notary. This decision has temporarily lifted the suspension of the notary's professional practice pending a final court ruling on the case. This development comes after six months of comprehensive judicial investigations and meticulous scrutiny of all details and documents related to this high-value real estate transaction.
According to information obtained by "Assahraa Al Maghribiya," the notary in question had previously received a sum of 14 billion dirhams from a client for the purchase of a plot of land. An agreement to sell was drafted for the buyer while awaiting the completion of the necessary legal procedures. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when suspicions arose concerning the destruction of the sale agreement. A second client emerged, expressing willingness to purchase the same property for an additional amount of nearly 2 billion dirhams, thus surpassing the initial offer. This led to the plot being transferred to the second client through a different notary, consequently depriving the first buyer of the opportunity to complete the transaction, despite having paid the full agreed amount. The notarial profession in Morocco is governed by Law No. 32.09, which outlines the procedural mechanisms for investigation and suspension, including precautionary temporary suspensions, which the public prosecutor may impose.
As reported by pressreader.com.
