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Zineb El Adaoui, the President of the Court of Accounts, has warned against the irresponsible use of the council and its regional committees’ reports in the upcoming electoral context. She emphasized the need to address the outputs of financial discipline within their constitutional framework and to distinguish between administrative violations and financial crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of criminal courts.
During a joint public session in Parliament, El Adaoui clarified that the errors monitored by financial courts are often related to administrative management or supervisory shortcomings rather than malice. She noted that the relevant courts analyze each case meticulously before making any decisions, considering the surrounding circumstances to assess the impact of the violations.
El Adaoui indicated that the Public Prosecution Office at the Court of Accounts enjoys functional independence, and that referrals of criminal cases are made through the Attorney General at the Court of Accounts or local prosecutors at regional councils, without direct referrals to the Head of the Public Prosecution Office. She mentioned that from January 2024 to September 2025, 34 cases were closed, while 20 files were referred to the Court of Cassation due to actions that may warrant a criminal penalty, representing 0.8% of the total 1,590 local communities and one association.
She further clarified that the total number of criminal cases referred between 2021 and 2025 amounted to 55 files, averaging 12 files per year, with 6 files resulting in final rulings, 5 files currently under trial, 6 files in the investigation stage, and 34 files still under inquiry, while 4 additional files were closed.
The President of the Court confirmed that observations from financial courts have contributed, even before accountability procedures were initiated, to the recovery of over 629 million dirhams, which includes 278 million dirhams in debt settlements and obligations, and 229 million dirhams in increased revenue from fees and duties.
El Adaoui explained that the Public Prosecution Office at the financial courts received 111 referral requests in the area of financial discipline during the same period, with financial courts being the primary source at 75%, while external authorities accounted for 25%, which included a request from the Minister of Equipment and Water and 27 requests from the Minister of Interior.
She stressed that the goal of this data is to enhance transparency and improve the management of public funds, while ensuring that the truth is not distorted or the council’s results used for subjective political purposes.
