French court rules in favour of Karim Wade

A French court has rejected the Senegalese government’s request to confiscate a luxury apartment in Paris and bank account belonging to former minister Karim Wade, arguing that it could not find any evidence of corruption or embezzlement.

Jean-Marc Fediba, a lawyer representing the son of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, told reporters that this was proof that he was wrongfully sentenced and jailed to six years in prison in Senegal.

Karim Wade was pardoned earlier this year after spending 2 years in jail. However, the government say he still has to pay about $225m to the state.

He was a powerful adviser and minister during his father’s rule from 2000 to 2012.

Wade was in charge of transportation, infrastructure, energy and international cooperation with the Persian Gulf countries.

News Agencies