Former Prime Minister of Mali, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, is currently under investigation over allegations of financial irregularities and potential embezzlement during his tenure. The development follows a formal referral by Mali’s Office of the Auditor General, which has flagged suspicious financial activities involving the Prime Minister’s Office during Maïga’s leadership.
According to judicial insiders, an official dossier informally dubbed the “Choguel Maïga Files” has been delivered to the Supreme Court’s Attorney General for legal examination. Sources say the Attorney General spent the weekend reviewing the detailed audit findings, which may soon lead to Maïga being summoned for official questioning.
At the heart of the case are two major incidents under scrutiny:
1. Alleged Misuse of Funds During a Public Project Inauguration: Investigators are questioning how public money was allocated and spent during a high-profile infrastructure inauguration led by Maïga’s administration.
2. Suspicious Mission-Related Payments: The second aspect involves a series of mission allowances and travel-related expenses deemed unjustified or excessive.
The total amount in question reportedly exceeds 2 billion CFA francs, equivalent to around $3.3 million USD.
A source close to the investigation emphasized that the inquiry is being handled with “seriousness and independence,” noting that “no one is above the law.”
The Malian justice system, under public pressure to tackle corruption and restore institutional credibility, has reportedly committed to following due process regardless of the individual’s political stature.
Despite the looming legal battle, allies of Choguel Maïga have pushed back. A former aide indicated that the ex-premier is prepared to face the justice system and has “nothing to hide.” The aide further claimed that Maïga would fully cooperate with investigators if summoned.
However, some of his supporters suggest that the probe may carry political undertones. They argue that Maïga’s outspoken criticism of Mali’s current military-led transitional government may have made him a target.
“This is more than just a legal matter,” said a political associate. “It’s also about silencing a dissenter.”
Intriguingly, the former prime minister’s inner circle has hinted that he possesses sensitive information of his own, with one associate warning that Maïga “has files of his own” that could challenge the narrative being pushed against him.
The investigation comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity in Mali, where transitional authorities have been consolidating power since the military takeover. Calls for transparency and good governance have been mounting, and the Maïga case could serve as a litmus test for the government’s commitment to accountability or, as critics fear, a sign of selective justice.
Meanwhile, Choguel Kokalla Maïga had firmly denied allegations of financial mismanagement outlined in a report by the Office of the Auditor General. Speaking during his New Year’s address, Maïga dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
He also criticized the current authorities for what he called arbitrary arrests but reiterated his overall support for the military government, emphasizing the need for accountability and stability. Maïga’s statement comes amid heightened scrutiny of governance practices in Mali’s transitional period.
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