Burkina Faso: Anti-corruption network welcomes arrest of former defence minister

28 Mai 2020

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, May 28 (Infosplusgabon)   -   The national anti-corruption network, REN-LAC, said here Tuesday it was satisfied with the imprisonment of Burkina Faso ex-minister of Defence Jean-Claude Bouda, suspected of embezzling money meant for the fight against terrorism.

"REN-LAC learnt with satisfaction on Tuesday 26 May 2020 via the media the arrest of the former minister of Defence and ex-Combatants, Mr Jean-Claude Bouda," said the network in a statement issued here and obtained by PANA.

In April, 2019, REN-LAC lodged a complaint with the Faso prosecutor near the Tribunal of First Instance for crime of appearance, illegal enrichment, forged declaration of interests and heritage and crime of acceptance of undue gifts concerning former minister Bouda.

“The complaint was filed in May 2019 and members of our network were heard in October the same year within the framework of the instruction of the dossier.”

The complaint lodged by REN-LAC was based on the acquisition of a real estate heritage by Bouda which cost would be estimated at half a billion CFAF.

"Mr Bouda had had only three years of ministerial duties. In his declaration of interests and heritage made when he took office as minister, that real estate property could be seen nowhere and the resources he had declared could neither enable him such acquisition," said the statement.

REN-LAC "considers this first stage of the Bouda dossier as step forward in the fight against corruption and the sanitation of governance in Burkina Faso".

"Naturally, the network is expecting a diligent treatment so that light is brought into this affair," the statement added.

“However, besides minister Bouda, all those involved in illegal acquisition of illegal resources must begin accounting for their deeds to the people,” added the statement, calling for the clarification of other emblematic cases of economic crimes (Guiro, Kanis affairs, etc.) now pending within the judicial system.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/AOD/GABON2020

© Copyright  Infosplusgabon