Sonko launches probe into 2 billion FCFA in alleged irregularities

An extensive parliamentary investigation has been initiated to scrutinize the management of the «One Student, One Laptop» program, with a focus on alleged financial discrepancies exceeding two billion FCFA.

Unprecedented parliamentary scrutiny

The Pastef-Les Patriotes parliamentary group, led by National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, has formally proposed the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry commission. This initiative targets alleged irregularities in the awarding and execution of contracts under the «One Student, One Laptop» program, implemented since 2017 by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (Mesri).

With an estimated annual budget of six billion FCFA and a cumulative expenditure nearing forty-eight billion FCFA over eight editions, the program’s management is now under intense scrutiny. The investigation aims to uncover potential violations of public procurement laws and financial mismanagement.

Critical findings and alleged violations

Key concerns include:

• Lack of competitive bidding for contracts exceeding fifty million FCFA, violating Article 53 of the Public Procurement Code;
• Absence of prior control by the Central Directorate of Public Procurement (Dcmp), in breach of Article 142;
• Non-inclusion of the program in the ministry’s procurement plan, contravening Article 6;
• Failure to obtain mandatory ministerial approval for contracts valued at three hundred million FCFA or more, as required under Article 29.

These irregularities allegedly persisted from 2017 onward, with reports suggesting the State was compelled to make additional payments totaling one billion two hundred fifty million FCFA due to improper contract execution. Furthermore, allegations of embezzlement exceeding one billion FCFA have surfaced.

Unaccounted funds and suspicious transactions

Investigators have also uncovered a two billion FCFA guarantee fund deposited with Ecobank, with no clear documentation regarding its origin, management, or utilization. Additionally, thirteen bank accounts—far exceeding the three initially recorded—were linked to the program. An unaccounted balance of eight hundred sixty-four million eight hundred fifty-seven thousand eight hundred FCFA was dispersed across these accounts.

Further anomalies include:

• A stockpile of eight hundred unserviceable laptops, purchased with public funds but never distributed to students;
• Suspicious transactions in 2023, including a one billion four hundred forty-six million two hundred seventy-five thousand FCFA payment for seven thousand fifty-five laptops, channeled through an unauthorized intermediary entity without a valid contract.

Who is under the microscope?

The inquiry will examine the roles of ministers, directors, heads of service, and collaborators who held responsibilities within the following entities since 2017:

• Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (Mesri);
• Ministry of Finance and Budget;
• General Directorate of Higher Education;
• Directorate of Financing for Higher Education Institutions (Dfees);
• Central Directorate of Public Procurement (Dcmp);
• Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (Arcop);
• Public, parapublic entities, universities, financial institutions, and all individuals or entities involved in the program’s contracts.

Ousmane Sonko and the Pastef group emphasize the gravity of these findings, asserting that the irregularities warrant a thorough parliamentary investigation to assess their economic and social impact on Senegal.