Ivory Coast: singer Debordo Leekunfa sentenced to 12 months

The verdict has fallen for Debordo Leekunfa. After several weeks of pretrial detention and a closely watched hearing, the Abidjan-Plateau court handed down a sentence of 12 months in prison, suspended, accompanied by a fine of 5 million FCFA against the artist.

According to gathered information, the withdrawal of the complaint by artist Kerozen, one of the original complainants, weighed on the outcome and helped reduce the final sentence. The public prosecutor nevertheless held several pieces of incriminating evidence, notably the nature and seriousness of the public accusations made by Debordo Leekunfa against his detractors.

The complaint from promoter Nama Bouaké, which remained active, formed the core of the case. The promoter accused the singer of defamatory remarks as well as breach of contract related to a concert scheduled at the Casino de Paris in July 2025.

Defamation, contractual dispute and controversial videos

The case escalated when Debordo Leekunfa, during media appearances and on social networks, accused Nama Bouaké of fraud, human sacrifices and money laundering. Those statements were considered particularly serious and prompted the promoter to bring the matter before the PLCC. A several-hour confrontation then laid out the contractual documents and the evidence put forward by both parties.

The singer was already facing several complaints since his return from Europe in early November. Questioned once at Abidjan airport before being released, he was arrested again after a notable appearance on the show « Willy à Midi », where he made remarks considered defamatory.

It was finally on November 13 that he was placed under remand at the MACA, where he remained until the decisive hearing on November 25.