Gambiaj.com – (Dakar, Senegal) – Samuel Sarr, the former managing director of West African Energy (WAE), was released on medical grounds from detention under electronic surveillance and assigned to house arrest on Wednesday, after six months in custody. His release comes following the conclusions of a medical report by Professor Maïmouna Ndour Mbaye.
Sarr was indicted on charges of “abuse of corporate assets” involving 8 billion CFA francs. However, his defense team remains adamant that the allegations are baseless. They have filed a request for a “total dismissal” of the case with the investigating judge, citing key findings from a report by chartered accountant Alioune Touré.
According to the defense, this report fully exonerates Sarr by concluding that WAE has not suffered any financial damage.
Sarr’s lawyers also highlight the lack of sufficient evidence to substantiate claims of embezzlement for personal gain.
They argue that it is “absolutely inconceivable and even impossible” that Sarr, who was instrumental in designing a 283 billion CFA franc financing scheme for a power plant, would have intended to divert funds.
Adding weight to their argument, the defense notes that no shareholders or financial partners of WAE—apart from Moustapha Ndiaye—have brought civil actions against Sarr during the investigation.
The 366-megawatt power plant, a project he helped bring to life, began producing electricity on May 5.
Citing these points, Sarr’s legal team is urging the investigating judge to grant a total dismissal of all charges, concluding their case for the former Minister of Energy under President Abdoulaye Wade.
Sarr’s case revolves around accusations of embezzling 8 billion CFA francs linked to his role as Director General of West African Energy, a consortium in which Senegal’s national electricity company, SENELEC, holds a 15% stake. The consortium is pivotal to the country’s energy production and distribution.
Sarr’s legal troubles have attracted widespread attention due to the high stakes involved, given West African Energy’s critical role in Senegal’s energy infrastructure. However, neither the authorities nor Sarr’s lawyers have provided further information about the charges.
