فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fes News – Rabat
December 4, 2025
The Financial Crimes Court panel at the Rabat Court of Appeal has decided to summon 11 defendants to appear before it in a scheduled hearing on December 10, to begin the appeal phase in one of the most prominent judicial cases that sparked widespread controversy, relating to allegations of manipulation of judgments issued by the Tetouan Court of Appeal. This case is known in the media as the “selling judgments case” and is considered one of the largest cases that revealed the involvement of parties in the judicial system and the legal profession in financial and ethical corruption operations.
Case Background: Recordings Expose Corruption Network
The origin of this case dates back to November 2023, when audio recordings attributed to the former wife of one of the accused judges spread, revealing—according to preliminary investigations—her husband’s involvement alongside other judges, lawyers, judicial employees, and intermediaries in suspicious mediation operations. The recordings indicate the exchange of sums of money and privileges in return for manipulating the course of judicial files, which led to the opening of an urgent investigation by the National Judicial Police Brigade, under the supervision of the Attorney General of the King at the Financial Crimes Court in Rabat.
Investigating judge Loubna Lahlou conducted marathon investigation sessions involving 11 defendants, including two former judges who presided over the criminal chamber at the Tetouan Court of Appeal, and a number of lawyers belonging to the Tetouan, Casablanca, and El Jadida bars, in addition to a notary, contractor, and housewife (former employee of Tetouan municipality). The serious charges include bribery, offering bribes, abuse of influence, manipulation of judicial files, failure to report the occurrence of a felony, in addition to concealing items obtained from a felony.
First Instance Verdicts: Varying Convictions
In August 2025, the First Instance Financial Crimes Criminal Chamber at the Rabat Court of Appeal issued final judgments in the first instance phase, in which most defendants were convicted with varying penalties. For example:
- Principal judge (R.H.): 3 years imprisonment.
- Second judge (A.M.): 2 years imprisonment, one year served and another suspended.
- Three lawyers from Tetouan bar and a female lawyer from El Jadida: 2 years imprisonment for each.
- Another lawyer from Casablanca: 2 years suspended sentence.
- Notary from El Jadida: 2 years suspended sentence.
- Committee chairman at Tetouan municipality: 6 months suspended sentence.
The court acquitted some defendants, such as a lawyer from the Tetouan bar, due to insufficient evidence. The sessions witnessed dramatic confrontations, especially between the principal judge and his former wife, in which she confirmed her accusations.
Appeal: Awaiting New Developments
With the beginning of the appeal phase, upcoming sessions are expected to reveal additional details about the course of the suspected files, through defense arguments and prosecution responses. The list of appellants includes lawyers from the Tetouan, Casablanca, and El Jadida bars, in addition to a judicial bailiff previously convicted in other cases related to drugs and manipulation of official records.
This case, which shook national public opinion, is considered a pivotal moment in the debate over trust in the judicial system, and highlights the need for fundamental reforms to combat corruption. So far, the concerned authorities have not issued additional official statements regarding the upcoming hearing, but observers are awaiting its developments as a step toward strengthening judicial integrity.
Note: This report is based on reliable media sources, and “Fes News” will follow developments to publish any official updates.
