Financial Judicial Pool: Former manager of ODIR Senegal on trial for misuse of company assets, 200 million CFA francs claimed

Abdoulaye Ba, former manager and shareholder of ODIR Senegal, appeared before the criminal court on Thursday. He is being prosecuted for misuse of company assets and money laundering. He was brought to court by Malian associates, Abdoulaye Koita and others, who are claiming more than 130 million CFA francs from him.

According to the investigation conducted by the Colobane research unit, the company ODIR Sénégal was siphoned off from within by its own statutory manager, Abdoulaye Ba. After severing ties with his four Malian partners, he set up a competing company using the equipment, business assets, and cash reserves of the original firm. Arrested, he was brought before the financial prosecutor's office.

It all began in March 2023. Four Malian investors, François Ouédraogo, Abdoulaye Diarra, Abdoulaye Koïta, and Sidiki Niangaly, decided to expand the ODIR brand (specializing in metrology and technical inspection) into Senegal. To establish this limited liability company (SARL) with an initial capital of one million CFA francs, they hired a local technician, Abdoulaye Ba, whom they appointed as the statutory manager and a 20% shareholder. Residing in Bamako, he was the subject of the four Malian partners' complete trust, who invested over 62 million CFA francs of their own funds for operating equipment, furnishing the premises in the Mbao business park, and working capital.

A turnover of approximately 140 million CFA francs swallowed up

The success was immediate. Within nine months, the SME had won over customers in Dakar and generated a turnover of nearly 139 million CFA francs. Everything seemed to be going well. But in January 2024, the manager's behavior changed. Abdoulaye Ba suddenly stopped submitting financial reports, screened calls from his partners, and concealed newly registered contracts.

Intrigued by this radio silence, its partners dispatched an emissary to Dakar in April 2024. On site, surprise: the offices were closed and management had become totally opaque.

Tired of this strategy of decay, Abdoulaye Koïta arrives at the Colobane research section on July 8, 2024 to file a complaint.

The initial investigations revealed a bizarre scenario. To shed light on the financial situation, the police issued bank statements to Coris Bank and BOA. The statements showed significant withdrawals by bank card made by the manager, even though he was claiming to the partners that the company's activities had ground to a halt.

In reality, Abdoulaye Ba had discreetly set up a second company in August 2024, called ODIM Sénégal (Office of Engineers for Metrology and Instrumentation), located in Keur Massar (Almadies 2). To operate this competing entity, of which he held a 60% stake, the unscrupulous manager didn't have to look far. He copied ODIM Sénégal's charter and website, siphoned off its client base, and transferred all of the high-precision measuring equipment belonging to the first company.

Pushing the audacity even further, he had even bought himself a luxury vehicle (Ford Explorer) with the proceeds of ODIR Senegal, under the pretext of "replacing" his personal car.

Summoned on November 14, then taken into custody on November 21, 2024, the accused eventually made a partial confession, mentioning simple "management errors" and disputes over unpaid fees with his Malian partners.

The searches carried out on November 22 and 23 at the headquarters of his new company and at his home resulted in the seizure of an impressive arsenal of calibration and office equipment, which was sealed on behalf of the justice system.

In court, Abdoulaye Ba contested the charges against him, citing management errors. His associate, Abdoulaye Koïta, who comes from Mali, is convinced that he was "swindled." His lawyer, Cheikh Amadou Ndiaye, requested that the defendant be found guilty. The plaintiff sought 200 million CFA francs in damages and the return of seized assets. The public prosecutor requested the application of the criminal law.

The defense, led by lawyers Abdou Aziz Djigo and Abdoul Daff, argued for acquittal.

The case has been adjourned for deliberation until November 19th.