Parliament and Justice: Mustapha Lakhsem’s challenge in Sefrou following the postponement of the casual workers’ case

In one of his first judicial hearings since entering the parliamentary scene, the correctional chamber of the Sefrou Court of First Instance decided this Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to postpone the consideration of the case involving the President of the Imouzzer Kandar Commune, Mustapha Lakhsem, until November 3.

According to available information, Lakhsem is being prosecuted alongside four other defendants on charges related to suspicions of mismanagement and the squandering of public funds, directly linked to the management of casual workers in the Imouzzer Kandar Commune, as detailed in the complaint and judicial investigations.

The decision to postpone was made during today’s session to allow for the re-summoning of several witnesses and the principal defendant, following his absence, before proceeding with the discussion of the case before the court.

The details of the case stem from a complaint filed by the opposition within the Municipal Council regarding the method of managing the lists of casual workers. The complaint contained data suggesting that 84 casual workers had received wages and compensation, while alleging that some individuals on the lists performed no actual tasks for the commune—data that had already been the subject of prior judicial investigations.

In previous sessions, several witnesses were heard. Media reports indicated that some denied having worked as casual employees, while others claimed they had handed over their national ID cards to third parties who performed the actual work. These accounts remain under the assessment of the court.

This postponement comes in a new political context for Mustapha Lakhsem, after he topped the results of the legislative elections in the Sefrou district on September 23, 2026, securing a seat in the House of Representatives according to official results.

Thus, Lakhsem finds himself on two parallel paths: a political one, following his election, and a judicial one, which remains ongoing before the Court of First Instance, pending the November 3 session.

It should be noted that judicial proceedings do not in any way imply the guilt of the defendants; the final word remains exclusively with the judiciary after all stages of the trial have been completed and a final judgment has been issued.