Senegal - Former President Wade's Son Wanted For Alleged Swindling
The Senegalese Government has issued an international warrant of arrest for former President Abdoulaye Wade’s son Karim in connection with s...
http://www.africaeagle.com/2012/10/senegal-former-president-wades-son.html
The Senegalese Government has issued an international warrant of arrest for former President Abdoulaye Wade’s son Karim in connection with swindling during his father’s regime.
A leading independent daily L’Observateur reported Wednesday that the special prosecutor at the newly-established court against illicit wealth, Mr Alioune Ndao, issued the warrant of arrest on Tuesday evening.
Mr Karim Wade, who is alleged to be residing in Europe, is believed to have swindled millions of dollars when he served intermittently as minister for International Cooperation, Air Transport, Infrastructure and Energy between 2009 and 2012.
Three months ago, Karim faced a preliminary hearing before the court concerning the alleged ill-gotten wealth he amassed from the ministries as well as from funds provided by the Islamic world for the hosting of a conference by Senegal.
Sources said the hearings on July 3 and 5, 2012 led the investigators to discover that Karim held accounts at a local and a regional banks with $15 million.
The military investigators alleged that Karim had fraudulently acquired the money when he served as minister for Air Transport.
But the youthful former minister told the investigators that the amount was offered to him by his father who is on retirement in Senegal.
Senegal’s Justice minister has, meanwhile, insisted that Karim would have to explain clearly the source of the money when he faces the special court upon his arrest, or go to jail.
The former minister is also accused of several other financial malpractices for which he is expected to be quizzed. They include the possession of a private jet which he used for several years during his tenure as minister.
Local media reports, however, revealed last month that Karim, who also holds a French citizenship, had rented the jet with state funds from a private company abroad and had returned the aircraft since his father lost the presidency last March.
Dozens of other former ministers and directors of agencies were expected to face the special court, while the passports of others have already been confiscated.
Others were being held in custody awaiting trial after preliminary hearings.
Mr Karim Wade, who is alleged to be residing in Europe, is believed to have swindled millions of dollars when he served intermittently as minister for International Cooperation, Air Transport, Infrastructure and Energy between 2009 and 2012.
Three months ago, Karim faced a preliminary hearing before the court concerning the alleged ill-gotten wealth he amassed from the ministries as well as from funds provided by the Islamic world for the hosting of a conference by Senegal.
Sources said the hearings on July 3 and 5, 2012 led the investigators to discover that Karim held accounts at a local and a regional banks with $15 million.
The military investigators alleged that Karim had fraudulently acquired the money when he served as minister for Air Transport.
But the youthful former minister told the investigators that the amount was offered to him by his father who is on retirement in Senegal.
Senegal’s Justice minister has, meanwhile, insisted that Karim would have to explain clearly the source of the money when he faces the special court upon his arrest, or go to jail.
The former minister is also accused of several other financial malpractices for which he is expected to be quizzed. They include the possession of a private jet which he used for several years during his tenure as minister.
Local media reports, however, revealed last month that Karim, who also holds a French citizenship, had rented the jet with state funds from a private company abroad and had returned the aircraft since his father lost the presidency last March.
Dozens of other former ministers and directors of agencies were expected to face the special court, while the passports of others have already been confiscated.
Others were being held in custody awaiting trial after preliminary hearings.
