AEE Power-ASER: "Everyone, without exception" in the sights of the PJF

The Financial Judicial Pool (PJF) has officially opened a judicial investigation against "certain directors of the companies involved, the companies themselves, in their capacity as legal entities, and persons unknown," in connection with the execution of the rural electrification contract concluded between ASER and AEE Power EPC SAU. The prosecutor's office's statement lists a wide range of offenses likely to be examined, from embezzlement of public funds and money laundering to corruption, forgery, and use of forged public and private documents.

According to revelations by L'Observateur, this new legal step comes after investigations already conducted by the Research Section (SR) of the National Gendarmerie. Investigators had notably begun to examine assets and financial transactions related to the case. The newspaper, part of the Groupe Futurs Médias, also highlights the "guarantees, insurances, and receipts" angle, particularly the conditions under which certain guarantees were allegedly issued to AEE Power EPC when the corresponding premiums were not paid at the time of issuance.

The newspaper also reports that a source close to the case assures that "everyone, without exception," will be questioned. This could include the various officials and individuals mentioned in the proceedings, notably the current and former leaders of ASER, as well as, if necessary, political figures mentioned in the file. L'Observateur specifies, however, that these hearings will be conducted according to the "timing, chronology, and order" dictated by the needs of the investigation. Therefore, being questioned does not, in itself, imply criminal liability.

Another element revealed by L'Observateur: "a judicial delegation has been established with the Spanish authorities" to allow investigators to obtain or verify documents useful for uncovering the truth. In parallel, "comprehensive asset searches" are continuing with notaries, tax and land registry offices, insurance companies, and other organizations likely to hold financial or asset-related information.

Saïdou Kane's lawyers take note

Contacted by the same source following the statement from the Financial Prosecutor's Office, the lawyers for Saïdou Kane, head of Intermaq Sénégal SA, indicated that they "take note of the Financial Prosecutor's decision, pending the continuation of the procedure."

The executive's lawyers continue to deny any personal involvement or wrongdoing on the part of their client. They maintain, in particular, that Saïdou Kane had no direct control over the disputed financial flows and present the impasse in the case as the result of a commercial dispute with the Spanish partner, AEE Power EPC.