Karim Wade, who was former interior minister and son of former president, Abdoulaye Wade, has been defending himself against allegations that he had illegally acquired $240 million in offshore investments and foreign bank accounts.
Senegal has removed a special prosecutor from a highly publicized trial, pitting the Senegalese state against Karim Wade, the former interior minister, according to a Voice Of America report.
Special prosecutor Alioune Ndao was relieved of his duties on Tuesday despite leading the prosecution’s case against the former interior minister since 2012. Various media outlets have reported that Ndao received news of his removal via text message and during a trial session with Wade. Ndao will be replaced by Cheikh Tidiane Mara.
Although no official reason was given for Ndao’s removal, sources have speculated that Ndao’s investigation was beginning to threaten other officials who were not previously under investigation.
Karim Wade, former interior minister and son of former president, Abdoulaye Wade, has been defending himself against allegations that he had illegally acquired $240 million in offshore investments and foreign bank accounts.
Government lawyers are insisting that Karim Wade must inform the court how he acquired the money and investments. Wade’s defense team argues that the prosecution’s approach assumes that their client is already guilty.
Wade’s case, which was once seen as proof that the nation was finally charting a different course toward transparency and official accountability, is now mired in controversy with Ndao’s sacking.