The National Assembly of Senegal voted on Friday, May 2, the lifting of parliamentary immunity from two former ministers of ex-president Macky Sall on Friday 2 May who became opposition deputies. They are cited in a case of alleged embezzlement linked to the anti-COVVID fund of 1,000 billion CFA francs (1.5 billion euros).
Moustapha Diop, ex-minister of industrial development, and Salimata Diop, former minister of women, are suspected of irregularities in the management of funds intended for the purchase of health equipment and foodstuffs. The audit of the Court of Auditors published in 2022 reports overcharging and questionable purchases.
Expenses without supporting documents
According to the authorities, Moustapha Diop has paid 2.5 billion FCFA in cash for masks, in violation of accounting rules. “My services managed 2.5 billion CFA francs in the rules. The suppliers said they had been fully paid and delivered all of the masks. They said they did not give us anything to corrupt us, “defended the former minister before his colleagues deputies.
-Salimata Diop must answer for more than 57 million FCFA of expenses deemed unjustified. Ell denounces “fallacious accusations”, ensuring that he “did not take a single franc from the State of Senegal”.
Towards a indictment?
Their indictment before the High Court of Justice will still have to be validated by an investigation committee. This approach is part of the will of the new president Bassirou Diomaye Faye to strengthen the fight against corruption
AFP
