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Dakar Court of Appeal upholds dismissal of charges in Covid funds case, impacting Mansour Faye's situation
via SeneNews2 min read
The Indictment Chamber of the Dakar Court of Appeal has confirmed the dismissal of charges against several individuals involved in the Covid funds case. This decision rejects the public prosecutor's appeal, aligning with the investigating judge's initial ruling. Moustapha Ndiaye, Ryan Hachem, Mouhamed Dieng, and Aliou Sow, who were accused of complicity in the embezzlement of public funds and forgery, have benefited from this confirmation. The public prosecutor had sought to refer them to a trial court, but this attempt was unsuccessful. This ruling effectively ends the prosecution against these individuals at this stage. The decision also indirectly affects Mansour Faye, who was implicated as the alleged principal perpetrator. Currently on provisional release, the framework of the prosecution against him evolves given that the accusations against his alleged accomplices have not been upheld by the appellate court. The Covid funds case concerns the management of resources mobilized during the pandemic and has garnered significant public and judicial attention, involving suspicions of embezzlement and documentary irregularities. This decision by the Dakar Court of Appeal marks a significant step, confirming the investigating judge's stance on the insufficient evidence against the individuals concerned, while leaving open potential future developments for other parties in the case.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Several individuals among 14 people abducted on Wednesday in Benue State, central Nigeria, have been rescued, and seven suspects arrested, local police announced on Friday evening. The victims were passengers on a bus traveling to Makurdi, not young people heading to a university entrance exam as previously reported. Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue police, stated in a press release that officers are conducting a targeted search and rescue mission in the Amla forest and surrounding areas. The operation successfully rescued some victims, who are currently receiving medical care. The exact number of rescued individuals was not specified. Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria, which has seen a surge in attacks in recent months, particularly in its northern half, by criminal gangs known as "bandits" and jihadists. Benue State is also located in a region frequently experiencing tensions between Muslim Fulani herders and predominantly Christian farmers over land and natural resources.
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