Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Samuel Sarr, a former Minister of Energy under Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, has been formally indicted and placed under remand custody following investigations into allegations of financial impropriety. The high court in Dakar made the decision after a double inquiry conducted by the gendarmerie and the prosecutor’s office.

Sarr faces charges of misuse of corporate assets, a revelation confirmed by one of his legal representatives.

The 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.

The former minister was apprehended last Friday at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass by the air and border police. His arrest came after the Dakar Research Section (SR) of the gendarmerie issued an order prohibiting him from leaving the country.

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.

The indictment signals intensifying scrutiny of public officials and corporate governance in Senegal. Commentators in Senegal argue the case underscores the need for greater transparency in the management of national assets, especially in sectors as vital as energy.

Sarr, once a key figure in Senegal’s government, spent his first night in prison as the investigation continues. The legal proceedings against him are expected to shed light on the alleged mismanagement and its broader implications for Senegal’s energy sector.