Minister Detained in Senegal Amid Corruption Crackdown

Senegal has taken another step towards holding its leaders accountable for alleged corruption with the jailing of former national lottery head Lat Diop. The 61-year-old was arrested late Thursday on charges of extortion, embezzlement, and money laundering related to his time in charge of the national lottery between 2020 and 2024.

Diop’s lawyer, El Hadji Diouf, claimed that his client denied the charges and that “the three offences in question do not exist.” The lawyer added that he will request the proceedings to be cancelled. Diop’s detention marks the first instance of a former government minister being held under the country’s new financial judicial mechanism, which was launched earlier this month.

The new body brings together specialized magistrates and investigators to combat financial crime and corruption, a key promise made by the current government. In April, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pledged to hold the previous administration accountable for widespread corruption.

Diop’s troubles began when a former boss of an online sports betting company, partnered with the national lottery, testified in court that he had given 5 billion CFA francs ($8.5 million) to the former minister. Diop disputes these claims, leaving his lawyer to question the legitimacy of the charges.

This development is part of a broader effort to strengthen transparency and accountability in Senegal. As the government continues to investigate and prosecute those suspected of corruption, citizens can expect a greater sense of trust and accountability from their leaders. With Diop’s detention, the message is clear: no one is above the law, not even high-ranking officials.