The Guinean Court for the Repression of Economic and Financial Crimes (CRIEF) is facing increasing scrutiny from the legal community following a series of recent decisions, including the continued detention of former minister Ibrahima Kourouma and a procedural delay in the case of Mohamed Diané and Kassory Fofana. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Appeals Chamber of the CRIEF acquitted both Ibrahima Kourouma and Mohamed V Sankhon, but the public prosecutor immediately appealed to the Supreme Court, suspending their release.
The criticisms center on the court’s perceived overreach and its impact on human rights, with some legal professionals calling for its abolition or restructuring. Almamy Samory Traoré, a lawyer representing several former officials from the Alpha Condé administration, argued that the CRIEF duplicates the functions of ordinary courts. “What the CRIEF does, all ordinary courts can do. Proof of this is that cases of embezzlement of public funds below 1 billion [Guinean Francs, presumably] are judged by ordinary courts. What’s the difference? It’s the amount. I honestly believe that the CRIEF is not very useful,” Traoré stated, according to reporting by Télé 24.
Traoré further accused the court of contributing to human rights violations. “It has created more problems for the transition authorities in terms of human rights violations and others than ordinary courts. I do not believe that normally, it should serve to ensure that the specificity or technicality of the questions submitted to it justify its existence,” he added. He likewise called for increased staffing and more courageous magistrates within the court.
The lawyer questioned the rationale behind pursuing cases against high-profile figures like former Prime Ministers and Defense Ministers without sufficient evidence. “I would like to hear [the justification] because for us, it is a void. There is no argument. Its deputy cannot grab any decision. We turn to the Minister of Justice and as a lawyer, since the bar is a sentinel of rights, we will seize the president of the order of lawyers,” Traoré said, suggesting potential legal challenges.
Traoré did not rule out a boycott of future hearings if Ibrahima Kourouma remains detained. “I don’t think it’s necessary anymore, it’s not worth going to plead before a court that doesn’t recognize its own decisions. If Dr. Ibrahima Kourouma is not released, it’s not worth going,” he stated. The prosecutor’s appeal to the Supreme Court effectively halts Kourouma’s release, pending a review of the Appeals Chamber’s decision to drop the charges against him and Sankhon. The CRIEF had previously ordered the restitution of all seized assets belonging to Kourouma.
Separately, an audience scheduled for February 19, 2026, concerning the cases of Mohamed Diané and Kassory Fofana was postponed due to the absence of the special prosecutor, according to Guinee360. No explanation was given for the prosecutor’s absence.
