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Senegal: Former foreign minister arrested in New York on corruption charges
Former Senegal top diplomat and presidential hopeful Cheikh Tidiane Gadio has been arrested in New York on graft charges after serving as lobbyist in the acquisition of oil contracts by a Chinese company in Chad a bank in Uganda.
Gadio, foreign minister (2000-2009) under former President Wade was nabbed Friday in New York for serving as lobbyist on behalf of Chi Ping Patrick Ho, a Chinese businessman.
Both men according to the US Justice Department allegedly paid brides to two African leaders, namely Chad President Idriss Deby and Uganda foreign minister Sam Kutesa so that the two favor a Shanghai-based oil company called The Energy Company in the acquisition of oil contracts in Chad and a local bank in Uganda.
US authorities have pressed two charges against Gadio and his Chinese partner.
In the first case Gadio reportedly helped in 2014 transfer $2 million to President Deby with whom has good ties. In return the Chadian leader would favor the Chinese oil company in getting a contract without bidding.
The money also according to US legal authorities was intended to bride the Chadian authorities to overlook $1.2-billion-fine imposed on The Energy Company in the Sub Saharan country for breach on environmental terms.
The Energy Company is present in Chad alongside Beijing-backed Chinese State Oil Company.
Gadio for helping personally channel the money to the Chadian President received $400,000 via his consulting firm.
The 61-year old former Senegalese statesman and Ho, 68, are also cited in a bribe case in Uganda. Ho allegedly gave Kutesa $500,000 and other several presents to the Uganda official at the time he was wrapping up is role as President UN General Assembly.
Kutesa was expected to help acquire a local bank that will help flourish the interest of the Chinese company in Uganda.
“Their bribes, and corruption attempts are detrimental to our economy and jeopardize trust in a free market,” said Kenneth Blanco, the US deputy assistant Attorney General.
Gadio and Ho are also accused of attempts of international money laundry. If guilty, two men may face 20 years in prison.
