Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – In a development that has drawn significant attention to Senegal’s anti-corruption efforts, Farba Ngom, deputy member of the Coalition Takku Wallu, is facing the imminent loss of his parliamentary immunity over allegations of financial embezzlement. However, the latest report from the National Financial Information Processing Unit (Centif) indicates that Ngom is far from an isolated case.
The report highlights a troubling rise in crimes involving corruption, embezzlement of public funds, currency trafficking, and related offenses.
According to Centif, the number of suspicious financial activities reported to the agency surged dramatically between 2022 and 2023. Reports of Suspicious Transactions (Dos) filed by banks, financial institutions, and other obligated entities rose by 145%, from 330 in 2022 to 807 in 2023. These reports often stem from suspected criminal activities, such as corruption and public fund mismanagement. Notably, 22 of the recorded cases specifically involved individuals in positions of public authority.
The Centif report does not disclose the identities of those implicated, emphasizing that details are only revealed once cases are formally handed over to justice officials. Nevertheless, the upward trend in financial irregularities paints a concerning picture of systemic abuse within the country’s public and financial sectors.
The work of Centif has been instrumental in exposing financial crimes, including the allegations against Farba Ngom. This agency operates under the Ministry of Finance and Budget (Mfb) and supports the Judicial and Financial Prosecutor’s Office in prosecuting offenders. While Ngom’s name is absent from Centif’s latest activity report, the structure’s role in unearthing evidence tied to his alleged offenses underscores its critical function.
Suspicious activity has been flagged across various sectors. Banks and financial institutions lead in filing reports, while contributions from notaries, real estate agents, and precious metals traders remain limited. Despite the spike in reports, Centif notes gaps in participation by some sectors in identifying illicit transactions.
Efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing have also intensified. Centif, in collaboration with the Central Bank, requires taxable entities to record Cash Transaction Declarations (Dte) for payments or withdrawals exceeding 15 million CFA francs. In 2023, over 16 million DTEs were registered, representing an increase of 292% compared to 2022. These transactions amounted to 133.42 billion CFA francs, with March seeing a peak of 16,000 cash declarations.
In terms of case management, Centif forwarded 43 files to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in 2023, while 25 cases remain under investigation and 70 others were dismissed. An additional 45 cases were referred to administrative authorities, including customs and tax offices.
The growing number of corruption and embezzlement cases highlights a systemic challenge for Senegal.
Centif’s findings suggest that these crimes are frequently linked to individuals wielding public authority, calling for stronger oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
As Senegal navigates the Farba Ngom scandal and broader financial accountability issues, Centif’s work serves as a pivotal tool in the fight against corruption and economic crime.
