
Audio By Carbonatix
Police in Senegal have arrested the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade on suspicion of corruption.Karim Wade is suspected of illegally amassing about $1.4bn (£900m) during his father's rule, his lawyers said.Karim was a senior minister during his father's rule from 2000 to 2012, and was in charge of major infrastructure and energy projects.Investigators had set him a deadline of Monday to prove his innocence, after accusing him of corruption a month ago.His lawyers said they had submitted documents relating to his assets to a courthouse earlier in the day.'Minister of earth and sky'
One of the lawyers, Demba Cire Bathily, told Reuters news agency that Mr Wade had been "forcibly" taken away."It was an arbitrary arrest," he was quoted as saying.Prosecutors announced an investigation into Mr Wade and five other former ministers last year.That followed the defeat of Abdoulaye Wade in the March 2012 presidential election by Macky Sall, who pledged to fight corruption.At the time, many Senegalese believed Karim Wade was being groomed as his father's successor.During Abdoulaye Wade's 12 year rule, Karim Wade held several ministerial posts simultaneously, including minister for infrastructure and air transportation.His large portfolio led to him being dubbed "the minister of the earth and the sky", but it also put him in charge of a large proportion of Senegal's government budget at a time of large-scale infrastructure spending.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Current account stability to mitigate pressure on cedi; currency to end year at GH¢11.40 to a dollar
12 minutes -
T-bills auction: Government records 32% undersubscription; interest rates rise again
14 minutes -
Economy to remain relatively insulated from fallout of US–Iran conflict – Fitch Solutions
15 minutes -
[Watch Live] Shatta Wale, Kofi Kinaata, and others ignite the grand finale of Gomoa Easter Carnival
2 hours -
Berekum Chelsea edge Aduana FC in Bono derby to boost survival hopes
6 hours -
‘They can’t control the team’ – Ernest Thompson doubts local coaches for Black Stars role
6 hours -
Ghana-born midfielder Seidu realises ‘dream’ with Atlético Madrid debut
7 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Bubakari strikes late to hand All Blacks vital win over Dreams FC
7 hours -
Fatal crash on Kintampo–Tamale highway claims four lives
7 hours -
2025–26 FA Cup Semifinal Draw: Chelsea, Man City Learn Wembley Opponents
7 hours -
GPL 25/26: Gold Stars back on top after beating Nations FC
8 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Heart of Lions roar back with victory over Vision FC in Kpando
8 hours -
Solomon Agbasi: Hearts keeper in stable condition after concussion
8 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Late Salim Adams penalty earns Medeama draw at Bechem
9 hours -
Hearts pip Young Apostles 1-0 to end 5-game winless run
9 hours